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 – (تسمي حاجتك: بدء مشروع إبداعي جديد) – خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ – (تسمي حاجتك) – شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – (أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ) – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and I seek ability from Your power, and I ask for Your immense favor. 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 – (specify your need: starting a new creative endeavor) – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – (or: for my immediate and my deferred matters) – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter – (specify your need) – is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – (or: for my immediate and my deferred matters) – 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-amr - (specify your need: starting a new creative endeavor) - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - (or: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) - faqdhurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr - (specify your need) - sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - (or: 'ajili amri wa ajilihi) - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when you are facing a decision and are unsure about the right path, especially concerning the initiation of a new creative endeavor. It is typically recited after performing the Istikhara prayer, which involves praying two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting this dua. For a new creative project, you would perform the prayer and then, at the point where the dua asks you to specify your need ('هذا الأمر'), you would mentally or verbally state your intention, such as 'starting this new art project,' 'launching this writing initiative,' or 'pursuing this design venture.'
How to Read
The Istikhara prayer is a two-rak'ah prayer, similar to the regular prayers, with the intention of seeking Allah's guidance. After the prayer, you raise your hands (if possible and comfortable) and recite the above dua with sincerity and humility. When you reach the part where you need to specify your need ('هذا الأمر'), you should clearly identify the creative endeavor you are contemplating. For example, you could say, 'O Allah, if starting this new photography business is good for me...' or 'O Allah, if writing this book is good for me...'. After reciting the dua, you should then go about your business as usual, trusting that Allah will guide you. Signs of Allah's guidance can appear in various ways: a feeling of ease and inclination towards the matter, a clear dream, or circumstances unfolding favorably. Conversely, if the matter is not good for you, you may experience a sense of aversion or find obstacles arising.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a powerful means for a believer to seek Allah's wisdom when facing uncertainty. By performing Istikhara, one is: 1. **Entrusting the matter to Allah (Tawakkul):** Acknowledging that Allah is the All-Knowing and All-Powerful, and His decree is best. 2. **Seeking Divine Wisdom:** Recognizing our own limitations in knowledge and foresight, and seeking Allah's insight. 3. **Avoiding Regret:** Proactively seeking guidance helps in making informed decisions and reduces the likelihood of future regret. 4. **Achieving Inner Peace:** Regardless of the outcome, trusting Allah's plan brings contentment and peace of mind.
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 used to teach us the Surahs of the Quran. He said: 'If any one 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 ability from Your power, and I ask for Your immense favor. For indeed You have power, and I have no power; You have knowledge, and I have no knowledge; You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – (and here he specifies the matter) – is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that it 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 whatever is good for me, and make me content with it.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should mention his need (specifically).' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)