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 (اذكر حاجتك) 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 الأَمْرَ 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 guidance from Your knowledge, and strength from Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For You decree and I cannot decree, and You know and I know not, 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 livelihood, and my Hereafter – or he said: 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 livelihood, and my Hereafter – or he said: in my present and future affairs – 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 aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (mention your need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fapdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyl khayra haythu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
Istikhara is a two-part prayer: the prayer itself (salah) and the supplication (dua). It is recommended to perform it when facing a decision and you are unsure of the best course of action. You can pray it any time it is permissible to pray voluntary prayers, ideally after performing the Isha prayer, or at any other time of day or night. It's best to perform it when you are calm and focused, not in a state of distress or anger.
How to Read
1. Make Wudu (ablution) as you would for any prayer. 2. Pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer (salah). You can recite any chapter you wish, but it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) in the first rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatiha, and Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) in the second rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatiha. 3. After completing the prayer and reciting the final Tasleem, raise your hands and recite the Istikhara dua. The dua provided above is the comprehensive version taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). 4. Make sure to mention the specific matter you are seeking guidance for in the designated spot within the dua. 5. After reciting the dua, place your right side then your left side, saying: "Allahumma an-ta 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer" (O Allah, You are capable of all things). This part is optional but recommended. 6. Have firm conviction in Allah's wisdom and plan. Do not be disheartened if the outcome is not immediately clear. Trust that Allah will guide you through signs, dreams, or a sense of conviction towards the right path.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound act of reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). By performing it, you acknowledge Allah's infinite knowledge and power, surrendering your decisions to Him. This practice can lead to peace of mind, clarity, and contentment, regardless of the outcome. It protects you from making choices that might lead to regret or hardship, and opens the doors to blessings that you might not have foreseen.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters, just as he used to teach us a Surah from the Quran. He would say: 'When one of you is concerned about a matter, let him 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-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fapdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur liyl khayra haythu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih. (The translation is provided above.)"