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 (وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - أَوْ قَالَ: 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 - أَوْ قَالَ: فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, and I do not. You know, and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter (then mention the matter by name, e.g., 'this business deal to acquire X property' or 'this partnership with Y company') is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my ultimate outcome (or 'in the short term and the long term'), then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless me in it. And if in Your knowledge this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my ultimate outcome (or 'in the short term and the long term'), then divert it from me and divert me from it, and decree for me what is good wherever it may be, and then make me content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-azhim. Fainnaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention your specific need/deal here) khairun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or 'fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi') faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri (or 'fi 'ajili amri wa ajilihi') fasrifhu anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur lil-khaira haithu kana thumma ardhini bihi.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua, known as Salat al-Istikhara, is recited after performing a special two-rak'ah prayer when you face a significant decision and are uncertain about the best course of action. This includes major life choices such as marriage, travel, and crucially, any important business deal, investment, or partnership. Whenever you're contemplating a venture that could impact your provision (rizq) and overall well-being, this is the dua to turn to.
How to Read
First, perform two rak'ahs (units) of non-obligatory prayer with the intention of Istikhara. After completing the prayer and giving salams, raise your hands and recite this beautiful dua. When you reach the part in the Arabic text that says "هذا الأَمْرَ" (hadhal-amra), which means "this matter," you should clearly specify your business deal or decision. For example, you might say, 'this deal to purchase X shares,' or 'this contract with Y client.' Be specific in your heart and verbally if you prefer. After reciting the dua, you then proceed with your decision, trusting that Allah will guide you by making the best path easy for you and diverting you from what is harmful, even if it initially seemed desirable.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit of Salat al-Istikhara is a profound reliance on Allah's perfect knowledge and wisdom. By performing it, you are asking the All-Knower, the All-Powerful, to choose what is best for you in your religious commitment, your worldly life (including your livelihood and business), and your ultimate end. This process brings immense peace of mind, knowing that whatever outcome Allah decrees will be ultimately good for you. It prevents regret, as you have placed your trust in the One who knows all unseen consequences. It cultivates patience and contentment with Allah's decree and ensures that your pursuit of provision remains aligned with what is lawful and blessed.
Source & Authentication
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach us to pray Istikhara for all matters, just as he would teach us a surah from the Qur'an. He would say: 'When one of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say:...' (and then the aforementioned dua follows)." This hadith underscores the immense importance the Prophet ﷺ placed on seeking divine guidance in every significant aspect of life, treating it with the same seriousness as learning the Qur'an itself. It’s a powerful testament to our need to consult our Creator before embarking on any major step.