اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أسْتَخِيرُكَ بعِلْمِكَ، وأسْتَقْدِرُكَ بقُدْرَتِكَ، وأسْألُكَ مِن فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فإنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ ولا أقْدِرُ، وتَعْلَمُ ولا أعْلَمُ، وأنتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمرَ - خَيْرٌ لي في دِينِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي وعَاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لي، ويَسِّرْهُ لي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لي فِيهِ. وإنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أنَّ هذا الأمرَ شَرٌّ لي في دِينِي وعَاقِبَةِ أمْرِي وعَاجِلِهِ وآجِلِهِ، فاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي واصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وأقْدِرْ لي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بهِ. ويُسَمِّي حاجَتَهُ.
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge and power from Your might, and I ask from Your abundant grace. 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 (then the person should mention the specific matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – 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 Hereafter – 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - khayrun li fi deeni wa 'aqibati amri wa 'ājilihi wa ājilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa 'aqibati amri wa 'ājilihi wa ājilih, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kāna, thumma radhdhini bih. (Wa yusammī ḥājatah).
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you are facing a significant decision, especially one with moral implications, and you are unsure of the best course of action. After you have thought through the matter logically and consulted with knowledgeable people, if you still feel uncertainty, then this is the time to turn to Istikhara. It's performed after the Isha prayer, or at any time of day after performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, ideally when you are in a state of purity and calm.
How to Read
The Sunnah method of Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory prayers. In the first rak'ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Kafirun (109). In the second rak'ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas (112). After completing the prayer, you recite the Istikhara dua as mentioned above. It's crucial to genuinely surrender the decision to Allah after seeking His guidance. You should also have the intention to act upon whatever Allah shows you is best. The outcome might manifest as a clear inclination in your heart, a dream, or an external event.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah, acknowledging His perfect knowledge and power when ours is limited. It helps to relieve the anxiety and burden of decision-making by entrusting the outcome to the Almighty. By performing Istikhara, one seeks Allah's blessing and protection from potential harm or regret, ensuring that the chosen path is ultimately good for them in this life and the next. It fosters contentment and peace of mind, regardless of the eventual outcome, because you know you've done all you could to seek Allah's will.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, as he taught us a Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: "Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi-'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyūb. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra - khayrun li fi deeni wa 'aqibati amri wa 'ājilihi wa ājilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fīh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa 'aqibati amri wa 'ājilihi wa ājilih, fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li-l-khayra haythu kāna, thumma radhdhini bih." (And he mentioned his need).' In another narration: '...then he should mention his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)