اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر الذي تستخير فيه) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: 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 – أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your knowledge, and I seek ability with Your power, and I ask of Your immense favour. 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 (mention the matter you are seeking guidance for) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the outcome of my affairs – or said: in my present and future – then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. O Allah, if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the outcome of my affairs – or said: in my present and future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain 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 fa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter you are seeking guidance for) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi – fapdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri – or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi – fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, wa qdir li al-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you are facing a significant decision where you need Allah's guidance, particularly when contemplating seeking justice through legal means or confronting an injustice. It's meant to be recited after you have pondered the situation yourself and are still uncertain about the best course of action. Ideally, it's performed after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salatul Istikhara) and then reciting this supplication.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, preferably at a time when you can focus without distraction (like after Isha prayer or during the last third of the night). After the tasleem (concluding the prayer), face the Qiblah and recite this dua. Mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance on in the place indicated by '(اذكر الأمر الذي تستخير فيه)'. After reciting the dua, try to sleep in a state of purity, hoping for a sign from Allah in your dreams. If no clear sign appears, trust that Allah will guide you through your feelings, the unfolding of events, or through consultation with wise individuals.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a beautiful way to acknowledge our limitations and dependence on Allah. By seeking His guidance, we entrust the outcome to Him, which brings immense peace of mind. It helps prevent regret by ensuring we make decisions with Allah's approval, fostering contentment and satisfaction regardless of the result. When seeking justice, this prayer ensures you are pursuing the right path, not one that might lead to further harm or distress.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach his Companions to make Istikhara in all things, just as he used to teach them a Surah from the Qur'an. 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 Your guidance with Your knowledge, and seek power with Your power, and ask of Your grace, for indeed You have power and I have no power, and You know and I know not. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my life, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, and make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in my religion, my life, and the outcome of my affairs, 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.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306).