اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ أَهْلِهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَلَبَتْ لِي، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ أَهْلِهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَلَبَتْ لِي. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (تسمي الحاجة) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي 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 وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I ask You for its [this matter's] goodness and the goodness of its nature and goodness of what You have destined for me through it, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of its nature and the evil of what You have destined for me through it. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your need here) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and for my Hereafter (or he said: for my present and my future), 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 livelihood and my Hereafter (or he said: for my present and my future), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me whatever is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ahliha wa khayra ma jalabat li, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ahliha wa sharri ma jalabat li. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (tasmil-hajjah) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqd-ur-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrif-hu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqd-ur li-l-khayra haithu kana, thumma rad-dini bih.
When to Read
This is the well-known dua for Istikhara, seeking Allah's guidance when one is contemplating a decision and is unsure of the best course of action. While typically associated with major life decisions like marriage or career, its principle of seeking Allah's wisdom applies to any situation where one feels uncertain, including decisions that involve potential attachment to worldly possessions or how to manage them in a way that purifies the heart.
How to Read
Perform Wudu (ablution). Pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer outside of the obligatory prayers. After the prayer, recite the Istikhara dua, focusing your intention on the decision you need to make and asking Allah for guidance regarding releasing attachment to possessions. It's recommended to repeat the dua, keeping the specific need in mind. It is also advised to then go about your daily activities without overthinking, and observe what Allah places in your heart or how events unfold. You may have a dream, a feeling, or a clear path may emerge.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful Sunnah that shows our reliance on Allah (SWT). By supplicating with this dua, we acknowledge that our knowledge is limited and seek the One who knows all hidden things. It helps to alleviate the anxiety of decision-making and brings peace to the heart, trusting in Allah's perfect plan. When seeking guidance on releasing attachment, it helps purify intentions and focus on the Hereafter, aligning our worldly actions with our spiritual goals.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught 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 as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ahliha wa khayra ma jalabat li, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ahliha wa sharri ma jalabat li. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your need here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqd-ur-hu li wa yassir-hu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrif-hu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqd-ur li-l-khayra haithu kana, thumma rad-dini bih. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should name his need.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 7390)