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 (ويُسَمَّى حاجته) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and power from Your might, and I ask of Your immense bounty. 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 (and he mentions his need) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affair - or he said: in my present and 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 the end of my affair - or he said: in my present and future - 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-amr (and mentions his need) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are facing a significant decision, especially one that affects not just you but your wider community. Think of situations like choosing a leader for a local mosque committee, deciding on a collective project for the community's betterment, or navigating a serious disagreement that needs resolution. The key is that the outcome has wider implications, and you need Allah's wisdom to guide the path forward, not just for yourself but for everyone involved.
How to Read
The Sunnah of Istikhara involves performing a two-rak'ah prayer, ideally at night, followed by reciting this specific dua. After the prayer and dua, you should ideally go to sleep with the intention of seeing a clear sign or feeling a strong inclination towards one option. If no clear sign appears, repeat the process for a few nights. Crucially, after performing Istikhara, you must then take action based on what feels right or what Allah makes easy for you. Don't just wait passively; consult with knowledgeable and trustworthy people in your community as well, as their input is also a form of guidance from Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to acknowledge our limitations and the vastness of Allah's knowledge. By turning to Him in this manner, we seek His blessing and ensure that our decisions align with what is ultimately best, even if we cannot perceive it ourselves. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this practice to his Companions, indicating its importance for all Muslims facing decisions. It brings peace of mind, knowing that you've sought the best counsel, and safeguards you from the regret of making a wrong choice.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): 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 anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should perform two Rak'ah (of Nafl prayer) other than the obligatory prayer, and then say (the dua): '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-amr khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aaajili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.' Then he said, 'And you should mention your need (Hajataka).'