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 (اذكر الأمر الذي تريده) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي (أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ)، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر الذي تريده) 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 through Your knowledge, and I seek power through Your power, and I ask for Your magnificent 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 (mention the matter) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or 'in my present and future affairs'), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter (mention the matter) is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the end of my affairs (or 'in my present and future affairs'), 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 aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), faqdhurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter) sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aqibati amri (or 'ajili amri wa ajilihi), fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l-khaira haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are contemplating a significant decision, particularly one that involves venturing out on your own, starting a new independent endeavor, or taking a path where you are the primary decision-maker and responsible party. It's for those moments when you need to discern the best course of action for your personal growth, financial stability, or spiritual well-being, trusting Allah's wisdom above all.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to perform Istikhara by first performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (nafl). After the prayer, you recite this specific dua, clearly mentioning the matter you are seeking guidance on in the designated place. It's recommended to do this with sincerity and a sincere intention to follow Allah's guidance, even if it means letting go of a path you strongly desired. Some scholars suggest repeating this process over a few days if clarity is not immediately attained.
Virtues & Benefits
Performing Istikhara is a profound act of trusting Allah (SWT). It acknowledges His perfect knowledge and power, allowing us to delegate our worries and uncertainties to Him. By seeking His guidance on matters of self-reliance, we ensure our endeavors are aligned with His pleasure and wisdom, thus increasing the likelihood of success and barakah (blessing) in our personal pursuits. It shields us from regret and guides us towards what is truly best for us in both this life and the next.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from 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: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek power through Your power, and ask from Your great bounty. 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 then he should mention his need) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter – or he said: in my religion and livelihood and the end of my affairs – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in this world and in the Hereafter – or he said: in my religion and livelihood and the end of my affairs – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be, and then make me pleased with it.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)