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 الْأَمْرَ - وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ - 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 الْأَمْرَ 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 strength from Your power, and I ask of 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 – and he names his need – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – or he said: in my present and my 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 my end – or he said: in my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me whatever is good, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'Allamul-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (wa yusammī ḥājatahu) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala: fi 'ājili amri wa 'ājilihi), fapdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fīh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (aw qala: fi 'ājili amri wa 'ājilihi), fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma raḍḍini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance when facing a decision, especially when contemplating how to build resilience or navigate a challenging situation. It's recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) when one feels uncertain about the best course of action to develop inner strength and overcome difficulties.
How to Read
The practice of Istikhara involves performing two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory prayers. After completing the prayer, you recite this dua. It is recommended to name the specific matter or situation you are seeking guidance on within the dua itself, where indicated. Afterwards, you should aim to have a clear mind, and whatever you feel inclined towards or whatever becomes clear to you is Allah's answer.
Virtues & Benefits
This profound dua embodies the core of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). By performing Istikhara, one acknowledges their limitations in knowledge and power, entrusting the outcome to the All-Knowing and All-Powerful Creator. This act itself fosters inner peace and reduces anxiety, which are vital components of resilience. It ensures that whatever decision is made, it is divinely guided, leading to acceptance and contentment, key elements in facing adversity with steadfastness.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us the Surahs from the Qur'an. He would say: 'If any of you intends to do something, he should pray two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, other than the obligatory ones, and then say: 'Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'Allamul-ghuyoub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - faqduruhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri - or he said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhini bih.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added: 'And he should mention his need.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)