اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر بقلبك) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your magnificent grace. For indeed You have power, and I have no power; You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your matter with your heart) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter – or he said: in my present and my future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my hereafter – or he said: in my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your matter with your heart) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qal: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qal: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a decision where you are unsure of the best course of action, especially when considering rebuilding a relationship that has been damaged. It is recommended to perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) before reciting this dua. Ideally, one should perform this after fulfilling all obligatory duties and when one is in a state of purity (wudu). The sincere intention is key.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of Salatul Istikhara, then recite the above dua. While reciting, pause at the phrase 'hathal-amra' (this matter) and specifically bring to your heart and mind the relationship you are seeking guidance on. Mention it clearly in your intention. The goal is to surrender the decision to Allah and trust in His wisdom, hoping for a sign or clarity through dreams, an inner feeling, or ease in proceeding with a particular path.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a beautiful way to connect with Allah when faced with uncertainty. By seeking His guidance, you are acknowledging His perfect knowledge and wisdom, trusting that He will lead you to what is best. This practice can bring immense peace of mind, reduce anxiety over decisions, and ensure that your choices align with Allah's will, ultimately leading to better outcomes in this life and the next. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught this dua to his companions, emphasizing its importance for every significant matter.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us the Surahs from the Quran. He said: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – or he said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi – faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – or he said: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi – fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kan, thumma radhdhini bih." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)