اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (هنا تسمي حاجتك: الزواج من فلانة/فلان) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: عَاجِلِ أَمَرِي 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 favor. For You have power and I have none; You have knowledge and I know not; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter – [then mention your need: marrying so-and-so] – is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the Hereafter (or: for my present and future affairs), then ordain 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 worldly life, and the Hereafter (or: for my present and future affairs), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good, and make me satisfied 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (name your need here: marriage to so-and-so) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aa jili amri wa aajilih - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: 'aa jili amri wa aajilih - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Istikhara is a specific prayer for seeking Allah's guidance when faced with a choice, particularly when the outcome is not clear. For a marriage proposal, it's most effective to perform it after you have a clear intention to proceed with the proposal or acceptance, but you feel uncertain about whether it is the right decision. It's recommended to pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, followed by reciting this supplication. It can be repeated if needed, for up to seven days, though many find clarity sooner.
How to Read
The Sunnah for Istikhara involves praying two rak'ahs of *nafl* (voluntary) prayer. After completing the prayer, you recite the specific Istikhara dua. It's crucial to focus your intention on the specific matter – in this case, the marriage proposal. You should mention your need within the dua itself, as indicated in the translation. After making the dua, trust in Allah's plan. Signs might appear in the form of a clear inclination in your heart towards one option, or a dream, or simply a sense of peace or unease. It's important not to have a predetermined outcome in mind, but to genuinely seek Allah's will.
Virtues & Benefits
Performing Istikhara is a profound act of reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). It demonstrates humility, acknowledging that human knowledge is limited, and that only Allah possesses complete knowledge of the unseen. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer to his Companions, treating it with the same importance as teaching them a chapter from the Quran. This practice ensures that we seek the best for ourselves, whether it leads to acceptance or rejection of the proposal, trusting that Allah's decree is always for our ultimate good. It brings peace of mind and clarity, freeing us from the anxiety of making decisions based solely on our limited perspective.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 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-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr ' khairun li fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih (or: fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri) - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharrun li fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih (or: fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri) - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana thumma radhdhini bih.'" And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) added: 'And he should name his need.'