اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (ثُمَّ تُسَمِّي الْحَاجَةَ بعينها) خَيْرًا لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ 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 I seek ability from Your power, and I ask of 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 (then name the specific need) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs – 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 in my affairs – 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 'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma fa in kunta ta'lamu hadhal amr (then name the need) khayran li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feehi. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu annahu sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyl khayra haythu kaana, thumma radhdhini bihi.
When to Read
This profound dua is recited when you are faced with a decision, particularly one that feels like a significant spiritual test or trial, and you are unsure of the best path forward. Whether it's about a career change that impacts your deen, a relationship decision, a major life event, or even a challenging situation that tests your faith and patience, Istikhara is the sunnah way to seek clarity and divine direction. It's not just for major life choices, but for any matter where you seek Allah's will and wisdom, especially when the spiritual implications are significant.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us a specific method for Istikhara. It is best performed after offering two rak'ahs of prayer outside of the obligatory ones, followed by reciting this specific dua. It's crucial to have a clear intention of the matter you are seeking guidance on, which you mention in the designated spot in the dua. After making the dua, you should resolve to accept whatever Allah makes easy for you. The signs of Istikhara can manifest as a clear inclination towards one option, a dream, or simply a sense of peace or unease about a particular path. It’s important to remember that Istikhara isn’t about getting a direct command, but about seeking Allah's facilitation and guidance.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful embodiment of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and a practical application of seeking His wisdom. By performing Istikhara, you are actively acknowledging that your own knowledge and power are limited, and that Allah is the ultimate Knower and Controller of all affairs. This act brings immense peace of mind, as you entrust your decision to the One who has perfect knowledge of what is truly best for you. It's a way to align your desires and choices with Allah's divine plan, ensuring that you are moving towards what is ultimately beneficial for your worldly and eternal well-being.
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 a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If any one 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 ability from Your power, and I ask of 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 (then he should mention his need) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter – or he said: good in my religion, my livelihood and the consequences 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 my religion, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs – or he said: bad 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 pleased with it.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)