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) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and Your power through Your might, and I ask of Your abundant grace. For indeed You decree, and I have no power; You know, and I know not; 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 end in affairs - and in another narration: in my present and future affairs - 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 end in affairs - and in another narration: in my present and future affairs - then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me accept 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-amr (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayah: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - f-aqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - wa fi riwayah: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, wa-qdir li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you are facing a significant decision and need divine guidance, particularly when grappling with how to respond to a public accusation. After performing the obligatory prayers (Salah), you would recite this dua after contemplating the matter. The key is to have a genuine intention to proceed based on Allah's guidance, not to manipulate the outcome.
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer involves performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer. After completing the prayer, you face the Qiblah, raise your hands (or place them in the customary position), and recite this specific dua, clearly mentioning the situation (responding to the accusation) in the designated spot. It's recommended to repeat the dua three times. Following the dua, you should go about your day with a sincere reliance on Allah, and await signs or feelings that guide you towards a decision. This might manifest as a clear feeling, a dream, or circumstances unfolding in a particular direction.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a profound means of seeking Allah's wisdom and foresight when our own knowledge is limited. It teaches humility and dependence on the Creator. By entrusting the decision to Allah, we aim to align our choices with His divine plan, seeking the best outcome for ourselves in this life and the next. This practice helps to quell anxiety and doubt, replacing it with contentment (radha) with whatever Allah has ordained, as the dua concludes with asking to be pleased with His decree.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us a Surah from 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 by Your power I seek ability, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power, but I have no power. You have knowledge, I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this task [and here he should mention his task by naming it] is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter - [or he said:] in my religion and my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs - then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this task is bad for me, 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.'" Sahih al-Bukhari 6306.