اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ العَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر هنا) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For 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 here) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and my hereafter – for my present and my future – then ordain 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 worldly life, and my hereafter – for my present and my future – then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the 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-'adheem. Fa-innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention the matter here) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fa-qdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, wa-qdur li al-khayra haythu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited when you are contemplating a decision, especially one where the right path isn't clear. In the context of making amends after a public disagreement, it's crucial before deciding *how* and *if* to approach the other party, or to seek clarity on the best words and actions to take. Ideally, it is performed after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, and then reciting this dua.
How to Read
Perform two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (Sunnah or Nafl). After finishing the prayer, raise your hands (or place them in your lap) and recite this dua with sincerity and conviction. Specifically mention the matter you need guidance on in the place indicated by '(mention the matter here)'. After reciting the dua, sleep, and you may see signs in a dream, or you might feel a inclination towards a certain path. Continue with the action that feels right, trusting Allah's guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer is a beautiful way to connect directly with Allah, acknowledging our limitations and His infinite knowledge and power. It allows us to entrust our decisions to the One who knows best, ensuring we move forward with divine support. By seeking guidance in making amends, we aim to mend relationships, fulfill our Islamic duty to maintain good ties, and earn Allah's pleasure.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He would say: '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 power from You, and I ask of Your great bounty. For You have power and I have no power, You have knowledge and I have no knowledge. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and in his version, he names the specific matter) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter, then decree 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 this world and in the Hereafter, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree for me the good wherever it may be, and make me contented with it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)