اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ - (اذكر الأمر) - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - (أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. 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 seek power through Your power, and I ask of Your immense 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 the matter) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – (or '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 '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 biqudratika, wa'as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa'innaka taqdiru wa'la aqdiru, wata'lamu wala a'lamu, wa'anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - (mention the matter) - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or said: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih) - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa'in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - (or said: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih) - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyl-khayra haythu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited as part of the Istikhara prayer when one is facing a decision and is unsure of the best course of action. In this context, it can be used when considering whether to continue holding onto a grudge or to release it. The intention should be clear: seeking Allah's guidance on the best way forward concerning the grudge, whether that means confronting it, forgiving, or letting it go entirely.
How to Read
Perform the Istikhara prayer by first offering two rak'ahs of prayer (outside of the obligatory prayers). After completing the prayer, recite the supplication (dua) above, clearly intending the specific matter of releasing or dealing with the past grudge. It is recommended to repeat the dua three times. After reciting the dua, one should not insist on thinking about the matter, but rather trust that Allah will guide them through signs, dreams, or a feeling of inclination towards a certain path.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound way for a believer to seek Allah's wisdom in their affairs. By turning to Allah in this manner, one acknowledges their own limitations and reliance on the Creator. The benefits include gaining clarity, peace of mind, and assurance that one is making a decision aligned with Allah's will, leading to good outcomes in this life and the next. Releasing grudges, as guided by this prayer, purifies the heart and fosters inner peace, which is a great blessing in itself.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and power from You, and I ask for Your great bounty. For You have power, but I have no power; You know all things. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion and for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs – or he said: for this world and the next – then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and for my livelihood and for the consequences of my affairs – or he said: for this world and the next – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me content with it.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'At that time, one should mention his need.' - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306