اللَّهُمَّ اسْتَخِرْ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَاسْتَقْدِرْ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (اذكر الأمر هنا: اختيار علاج طبي) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي - عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ - فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek guidance with Your knowledge, and seek power with Your power, and I ask of Your great bounty. For indeed You have power and I have no power; You know and I do not know; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (mention the matter here: choosing a medical treatment) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my end – in this world and the Hereafter – 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 end – in this world and the Hereafter – 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 (dhkur al-amra huna: ikhtiyar 'ilaj tibbi) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, fa-qdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri 'aajilihi wa aajilihi, fas-rifhu 'anni, was-rifni 'anhu, wa-qdur li'l-khayra haythu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the famous Du'a al-Istikhara, which is recited when one is faced with a decision, particularly when feeling uncertain. In the context of sickness, it is profoundly beneficial to recite this dua when contemplating different medical treatment options. Whether you are choosing between surgeries, medications, therapies, or even deciding whether to undergo a particular procedure, this dua helps you delegate the decision-making to Allah, seeking His wisdom to guide you to the best course of action for your health and well-being.
How to Read
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us the specific way to perform Istikhara. It involves reciting this dua after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara), ideally when one is calm and focused. After the prayer, you recite this dua, specifically mentioning the decision you need to make in place of 'this matter'. It is recommended to perform it with sincere intention and then proceed with what your heart feels inclined towards after the dua, trusting in Allah's guidance. Make the dua with full conviction and submission to Allah's will.
Virtues & Benefits
Istikhara is a beautiful gift from Allah, allowing us to tap into His infinite knowledge and power when we feel overwhelmed by choices. By reciting this dua, you are acknowledging your own limitations and surrendering the outcome to the Almighty. The benefits include finding clarity, peace of mind, and a sense of certainty that you have sought the best for yourself from the One who knows all.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (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 the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If anyone of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: O Allah, I seek the choice that comes from Your knowledge, and the ability to fulfill which comes from Your power, and I beg You of Your great bounty. For You have power and I have not, You know and I do not know. You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and here he mentions his need) is good for me in this world and in the Hereafter - [or he said: in my religion, my livelihood and the end of my deeds] - then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and then bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is evil for me in this world and in the Hereafter - [or he said: in my religion, my livelihood and the end of my deeds] - 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.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)