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 (تسمي حاجتك هنا) 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 through Your knowledge, and Your power through Your might, and I ask for Your immense favour. 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 (mention your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaقدرuka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - faprifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when facing a decision where one is unsure of the best course of action, particularly when considering releasing material possessions for the sake of spiritual growth and purity. It is typically performed after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara). The intention should be clear: seeking Allah's guidance on whether to proceed with, or let go of, certain worldly attachments that hinder spiritual progress.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer. After completing the prayer, recite this dua with sincere intention and focus. Mention the specific matter (releasing possessions, the extent of it, or a particular item) in the designated place within the dua. After reciting, sleep in a state of purity if possible, and look for signs or feelings that Allah may place in your heart. If no clear sign appears, repeat the process. Trust in Allah's wisdom and accept His decree.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a direct supplication to Allah for guidance in decision-making. By seeking His counsel, we acknowledge our limitations and His infinite knowledge and power. This practice helps to: 1. Align our decisions with Allah's will, leading to greater peace and satisfaction. 2. Avoid regret by seeking the best outcome, as determined by the All-Knowing. 3. Cultivate reliance (tawakkul) on Allah, trusting that He will guide us to what is truly beneficial, whether it is acquiring something or letting it go for the sake of our deen.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated: 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, he should perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer other than the obligatory ones, and then say: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaقدرuka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'ājili amri wa ājilih - faprifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.' He added: 'And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Then he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1166)