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 - سَمِّهِ بِعَيْنِهِ - خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي 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 وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أو قال: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a decision] with Your knowledge, and I seek ability [to fulfill it] with Your power, and I ask of You Your immense bounty. For indeed, 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 - name it specifically - is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: 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 bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or: in my present and my future), 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 - sammihi bi 'aynihi - khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - faqdurnee lee, wa yassirhu lee, thumma barik lee feehi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aaqibati amri (aw qala: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi) - fasrifhu 'annee, wasrifnee 'anhu, waqdurlil-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhinee bihi.
When to Read
This dua is specifically for when you're facing a decision, big or small, and you're unsure of the best course of action. Whether it's about a marriage proposal, a job offer, moving house, or even a seemingly minor choice that weighs on your mind, Istikhara is a beautiful way to entrust the outcome to Allah. It's about seeking clarity and divine direction before committing to a path.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us a structured way to perform Istikhara. It involves performing two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, after which you recite this specific dua. It's recommended to do this with a sincere heart, focusing on the decision you need to make. After making the dua, sleep in a state of purity if possible, and pay attention to any signs, feelings, or dreams you may experience upon waking. If clarity doesn't come immediately, you can repeat the process. Remember, Istikhara isn't about forcing a specific outcome; it's about submitting your will to Allah's wisdom.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a profound act of worship that strengthens our reliance on Allah (Tawakkul). By turning to Him in our times of indecision, we acknowledge His perfect knowledge and plan, finding peace in His decree. It protects us from making hasty or detrimental choices, guiding us towards what is truly best for our deen and dunya. As the Prophet ﷺ said, 'The best of the children of Adam are those who are steadfast, and the best of the prayers after the obligatory ones are the prayers of the night and the day (voluntary ones), and the best of the deeds are the most steadfast ones, and the best of the affairs are the most upright ones.' (Hadith, Ahmad). Istikhara embodies this steadfastness and uprightness.
Source & Authentication
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us a Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter he should observe two Rak'ahs of prayer other than the obligatory prayer, and then say: O Allah, I seek guidance from Your knowledge, and power from You, and I ask for Your great bounty. For You have power, and I have no power. You know all the things that are hidden. O Allah, if You know that this task is good for me in my religion and my livelihood and in the consequence of my undertaking or in his life in this world and his Hereafter – then decree it for me and make it easy for me and bless it for me. And if You know that this task is bad for me in my religion and livelihood and in the consequence of my undertaking or in my life in this world and his Hereafter – then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and decree for me whatever is good in whatever it may be and make me pleased with it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)