اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (تسمي حاجتك) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - وفي رواية: 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 - وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ
O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and seek ability from Your power, and I ask of Your immense favour. For indeed, You have power and I have no power, and You know, and I do not know, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention your need) is good for me in my religion, my worldly life, and the Hereafter (or in my present and future affairs), 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 worldly life, and the Hereafter (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 satisfied 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 your need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li khayra haithu kaana, thumma raddini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for seeking Allah's guidance (Istikhara) when you are facing a decision and are unsure of the best course of action. It's used when you have deliberated and gathered information, but still need Allah's wisdom to point you in the right direction. While the full practice involves praying two rak'ahs, this specific wording is the core supplication recited during Istikhara, often after the prayer or at a point where you are making the intention.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to recite this dua after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (nafl) specifically for Istikhara. It's important to have a clear intention about the matter you need guidance on. After reciting the dua, you should mention the specific need or matter in the place indicated by '(mention your need)'. The essence is to submit your will to Allah, trusting His perfect knowledge and wisdom to guide you towards what is best.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful way to connect with Allah and entrust our affairs to Him. It's not just about receiving a sign, but about seeking Allah's blessing and choosing what He knows to be best for us. By reciting this dua, we acknowledge our limitations and His ultimate power and knowledge, fostering contentment and peace regardless of the outcome. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'If one of you desires to do an undertaking, let him pray two rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayer, and then say...'
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 as he taught us a Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If one of you desires to do an undertaking, let him pray two rak'ahs other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: 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 your need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir li khayra haithu kaana, thumma raddini bih.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6166, Sahih Muslim 718). The version used in the main entry is the one commonly cited for the dua itself.