اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (يُسَمَّى حاجته) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your immense favor. For indeed, You decree and I do not decree, You know and I do not know, 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 my end (or: in my present and my future), then decree 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 my end (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 bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ishati wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fapdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ishati wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayatin: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a significant decision that involves uncertainty, especially when it touches upon deep spiritual matters or internal conflicts. This could be about a major life choice, a relationship issue, a career path, or any situation where you feel pulled in different directions and are unsure of the right way forward that aligns with your faith and inner peace. It's meant to be performed after you have already done your rational thinking and research on the matter.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer is a two-rak'ah prayer, ideally performed outside of the obligatory prayer times. After completing the two rak'ahs, you should recite the Istikhara dua. It is recommended to begin by praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Place your right hand on your chest, and then you should mention the specific matter (your need) in the place indicated in the dua. After reciting the dua, you should sleep in a state of purity, hoping for a sign through a dream, or look for clarity in your heart (ru'ya or irhaas). It's crucial to trust that Allah will guide you, and you should then proceed with what feels most reassuring in your heart, without necessarily expecting a dramatic sign. If no clarity comes, you can repeat the process.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way to seek divine guidance, acknowledging our limitations in knowledge and foresight. It instills a sense of reliance on Allah (tawakkul) and fosters inner peace by entrusting the outcome to Him. By seeking Istikhara, we open ourselves to Allah's wisdom, which encompasses the best for us in this life and the hereafter, ensuring we make decisions that are ultimately beneficial for our spiritual well-being and worldly affairs. It helps resolve internal conflicts by bringing clarity and contentment, regardless of the path chosen.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us the Istikhara prayer in all matters as he taught us the Surah 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your immense favor. For indeed, You decree and I do not decree, You know and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (or: in my present and my future), 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 bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end (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.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)