اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - [اذكر الأمر هنا] - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek power with Your power, and I ask of Your abundant grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, 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 livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: in my present and my future) – 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 livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: in my present and my future) – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - [mention the matter here] - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqdurnahu 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 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when one is contemplating a decision and is unsure of the best path forward. In this specific context, it's for seeking Allah's guidance on whether to release a past grudge, forgive someone, or how to proceed in a situation that involves lingering resentment. It is typically performed after performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, preferably outside of the prescribed prayer times.
How to Read
1. Perform Wudu (ablution). 2. Pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkadah or Nafl). 3. After the prayer, raise your hands (optional, but a common gesture of supplication) and recite the Istikhara dua. 4. When you reach the part 'هَذَا الأَمْرَ' (hadhal-amra), clearly state or mentally focus on the specific matter for which you are seeking guidance – in this case, 'releasing the grudge and how to deal with the person/situation related to it'. For instance, you might say 'Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna releasing this grudge...' or 'Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna dealing with this person...'. 5. After reciting the dua, trust in Allah's plan. It is advised to avoid discussing the specific matter with others and to remain open to signs, which may come in the form of dreams, a feeling of clarity, or circumstances unfolding in a certain direction. The key is to act upon what Allah makes clear to your heart.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah, seeking His wisdom when our own knowledge is insufficient. It's about submitting our affairs to the One who has complete knowledge and power. By performing Istikhara for releasing a grudge, we are asking Allah to guide us towards the path of peace, forgiveness, and spiritual well-being, which are immense blessings. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this prayer so we would not make decisions based solely on our limited understanding or emotions, but rather seek divine wisdom. The Quran also emphasizes seeking Allah's help and guidance in all matters: "...and whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has certainly made for everything a [decreed] extent." (Surah At-Talaq, 65:3).
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: "O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and seek ability by Your power, and I ask of Your abundant grace. For indeed You have power and I have no power, and You have knowledge and I have no knowledge, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – [and here he mentions the particular affair] – is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, and make it easy for me, and bless it for me. 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 the good wherever it may be and make me content with it." Jabir added: 'And he said (the Prophet ﷺ) that the one who is intelligent is the one who is tested by Allah, and the one who is content with what Allah has decreed for him, and the one who is patient in the face of what Allah has destined for him.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)