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 (هنا تسمي الأمر الذي تريده) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek power from Your might, and ask from Your abundant grace. 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) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter – for its immediate and delayed consequences – then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter – for its immediate and delayed consequences – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, and make me satisfied 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-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li khayra haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a decision and are unsure of the right course of action, especially when seeking to change a personal habit that you feel is detrimental. It is typically performed after offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara), which should be followed by this specific dua. It's best to perform this prayer and dua when you are in a state of calmness and have dedicated time to reflect, away from distractions.
How to Read
First, perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara). After the tasleem (ending the prayer), recite this dua sincerely. Make sure to mention the specific habit you wish to reform in the place indicated in the dua. The key is conviction and sincerity; you are entrusting the outcome to Allah, seeking His perfect wisdom. After reciting the dua, try to clear your mind and observe your feelings and any signs that may appear in the following days. Some scholars mention continuing this for seven days if no clear inclination emerges.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound way to connect with Allah's knowledge when our own is limited. By reciting this dua, we actively seek Allah's guidance, ensuring that our decisions align with what is best for us in both this life and the next. It brings peace of mind, as we trust that Allah, the Knower of the unseen, will guide us to the right path, whether that path involves pursuing a change or relinquishing it. This practice fosters reliance on Allah (tawakkul) and helps us overcome indecision and anxiety.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the Companions the Istikhara prayer for all matters, just as he taught them Surahs from the Quran. He said: 'If any one of you is concerned about some matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: 'O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek power from Your might, and ask from Your abundant grace. 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 (here he mentions the matter) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is evil for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good for me, and make me satisfied with it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)