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 - أو قال: 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 - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek power from Your power, and I ask of Your magnificent grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and 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 the outcome of my affairs – or he said: 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 the outcome of my affairs – or he said: in my present and future affairs – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased 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 ghuyoob. 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 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qaala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur lial khaira haithu kaana, thumma ardhini bih.
When to Read
The Istikhara prayer is recommended when you are contemplating a decision, especially one that carries significant weight or uncertainty. This includes seeking clarity on how best to utilize your unique talents and skills to benefit the Ummah, whether it's a career choice, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or any endeavor that requires a direction.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us a specific way to perform Istikhara. It involves praying two non-obligatory rak'ahs, reciting Surat al-Kafirun (109) in the first rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah, and Surat al-Ikhlas (112) in the second rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatihah. After the tasleem (conclusion of the prayer), you recite the specific dua taught for Istikhara, mentioning the matter you seek guidance on. It's also recommended to make dua before and after reciting the Istikhara dua, and to consult with knowledgeable people if appropriate. After performing Istikhara, rely on Allah, and observe what your heart inclines towards and the signs that may appear.
Virtues & Benefits
Performing Istikhara is a profound act of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). It acknowledges our limitations in knowledge and foresight, entrusting the outcome to the All-Knowing Creator. It brings peace of mind, helps in making decisions that are in accordance with Allah's will, and opens doors to blessings that we might not have seen on our own. By seeking guidance in utilizing our talents for the Ummah, we are actively striving to fulfill our purpose as Muslims and contribute to the collective good, earning Allah's pleasure and reward.
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 the Surah from 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 Your power, and I ask of Your magnificent grace. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and 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 and my worldly life and my end in my affairs, then decree it for me and 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 and my worldly life and my end in my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and decree for me the good wherever it may be and make me satisfied with it.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)