اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْتَخِيْرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيْمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ (تذكر الأمر هنا، مثل: إصلاح علاقتي بـ [اسم الشخص]) خَيْرٌ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ - وفي رواية: وَعَاجِلِ أَمْرِيْ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِيْ، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْهِ. اَللّٰهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِّيْ فِيْ دِيْنِيْ وَمَعَاشِيْ وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِيْ - وفي رواية: وَعَاجِلِ أَمْرِيْ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّيْ، وَاصْرِفْنِيْ عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِيْ بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask for Your immense favor. For 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 the matter here, e.g., repairing my relationship with [person's name]) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the Hereafter (or: in my present and future affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the Hereafter (or: in my present and future affairs), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good and make me accept 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-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here, e.g., repairing my relationship with [person's name]) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: wa 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: wa 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bihi.
When to Read
The Istikhara prayer is recommended when you are facing a decision where you are unsure of the best course of action. For reconciling with an estranged family member, this applies when you have considered the situation and are seeking Allah's direction on whether to pursue reconciliation, how to approach it, or if it's best to let it be. It's best performed after performing Wudu (ablution), ideally in a state of purity and focus, before sleeping or at a time when you can reflect without distraction.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of optional prayer (nafl) with the intention of seeking guidance (Istikhara). After completing the prayer, recite the above dua. Make sure to specifically mention the matter you are seeking guidance on when you say 'hadhal-amra' (this matter), for example, 'isslah 'alaqati bi...' (repairing my relationship with...). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that after reciting the dua, one should feel reassured or see signs in their dreams indicating the right path. If no clarity comes, one should repeat the process. It's important to have sincere intention and complete trust in Allah's wisdom.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way to connect with Allah and acknowledge our limitations in knowledge. It brings peace of mind by entrusting the outcome to the All-Knowing. By performing Istikhara, you are actively seeking Allah's wisdom and blessings in a matter that can be emotionally charged and complex, ensuring your decision aligns with what is best for you in this life and the next. It prevents regret by acting upon Allah's guidance.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'When 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-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bihi.' (Jabir said: 'And he would mention his need [specifically].') - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306