اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر: الزواج من فلان) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر: الزواج من فلان) شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عاجله وآجله - 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 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 (mention the matter: marrying so-and-so) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my worldly life and my hereafter (or: my immediate and my later consequence), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter (mention the matter: marrying so-and-so) is evil for me in my religion, my livelihood and my worldly life and my hereafter (or: my immediate and my later consequence), 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 pleased 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 the matter: marrying so-and-so) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amr (mention the matter: marrying so-and-so) sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaan, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is specifically recited after performing the 'Salat al-Istikhara' (Prayer of Seeking Guidance) when one is faced with a significant decision, such as accepting or rejecting a marriage proposal. It's crucial to perform the istikhara prayer before this specific dua, which is its direct continuation. The prayer involves reciting Surah Al-Kafirun and Surah Al-Ikhlas (or other suitable Surahs) followed by the recitation of this specific dua, mentioning the matter at hand (in this case, the marriage proposal) where indicated.
How to Read
The best way to approach istikhara is with a sincere heart and a clear intention. First, perform two rak'ahs of prayer (Salat al-Istikhara) outside of the disliked prayer times. After finishing the prayer and making tasleem, raise your hands (if comfortable) and recite this dua with deep concentration and humility. Focus on the specific marriage proposal you are considering. It is also recommended to make earnest supplication (du'a) in general after this specific dua, asking Allah for clarity and the best outcome. Some scholars recommend making du'a in your own words as well, seeking Allah's wisdom. It is also advised to sleep on a clean bed in a state of purity, hoping for a sign through dreams, though this is not a prerequisite and Allah may guide you through other means. Crucially, after performing istikhara and reciting the dua, you should be content with whatever Allah decrees and act upon it, without further hesitation or seeking more signs.
Virtues & Benefits
The benefit of reciting this dua after istikhara is immense. It is a direct petition to Allah, the Knower of all unseen matters, to guide you towards the best decision regarding the marriage proposal. By seeking Allah's guidance, you are entrusting Him with your affairs and acknowledging your own limitations in knowledge. This practice purifies your intention and ensures that your decision is rooted in seeking the pleasure of Allah and what is best for your spiritual and worldly well-being. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to his Companions, just as he taught them entire chapters of the Quran, highlighting its importance. It helps to relieve the anxiety of decision-making and fosters contentment with Allah's decree, whether the outcome is what you initially desired or not. Ultimately, the aim is to align your desires with Allah's wisdom, leading to a blessed union if the proposal is deemed good.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara for all matters as he used to teach us Surah from the Quran. He said: 'If anyone of you intends to do something, he should 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 aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'Allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra 'amruna (then mention the matter) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - faqdurhu 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 - 'aajilihi wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li al-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih. And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'And he should name his need.' (In the narration of Bukhari, the wording is 'hadhal-amra' which means 'this matter' and in parenthesis, it is mentioned to mention the matter).