اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (تسمي الأمر) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: في عاجل أمري وآجله – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – أو قال: في عاجل أمري وآجله – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in deciding] by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask of 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 – and then name your specific matter – is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter – or he said: in my present and my future – then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and 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: in my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me that which is good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal 'azim. 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 (name your matter) khayrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri - or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdhurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri - or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l khayra haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
When you are faced with a decision where the right path or the best timing isn't clear, like deciding the optimal moment to initiate a sensitive or difficult conversation. You've considered the worldly aspects, sought advice if needed, and are now seeking Allah's guidance through prayer.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory prayers. After the taslim (saying the salam at the end of the prayer), recite the Istikhara Dua. It is recommended to mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance on within the dua, as indicated by the phrase '(تسمي الأمر)' meaning 'name your matter'. After reciting the dua, reflect on any inclinations or dreams you might experience, but ultimately rely on Allah's wisdom and trust the outcome He chooses for you. It's also recommended to make dua for guidance regarding the specific conversation itself, asking Allah to soften hearts and guide your words.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound way to connect with Allah, acknowledging His ultimate knowledge and power. It removes the burden of decision-making from our shoulders and places it in the Hands of the One who knows what is best for us, bringing immense peace and contentment. By seeking Allah's guidance for timing difficult conversations, we ask Him to open the right doors and seal the wrong ones, ensuring the interaction is handled with wisdom and leads to the best possible outcome.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught 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: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal 'azim. 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 khayrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri - or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - faqdhurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma'aniyati wa 'aqibati amri - or said: fi 'ajili amri wa ajilih - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdhur li-l khayra haithu kana, thumma radhdhini bih. (The Prophet ﷺ mentioned the name of the matter in the dua).