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 (ويسمي الأمر حاجته) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and seek ability through Your power, and I ask of Your immense bounty. For You decree and I have no power, and You know and I do not know, 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 my future), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. O Allah, and if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, and my Hereafter (or he said: in my present and my future), 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 content with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wala a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (mention his need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This is the prayer for Istikhara, a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended when facing a significant decision where one is unsure of the right path. It's recited after performing Wudu' and offering two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (preferably not during disliked times for prayer). The intention is to seek Allah's clarity and direction before committing to a course of action, such as a marriage proposal, a business venture, a move, or any decision with substantial life implications.
How to Read
After performing the two rak'ahs of Istikhara, one recites this specific dua. It's crucial to be fully present, with a sincere heart, and a genuine reliance on Allah. After reciting the dua, one should commit to a decision based on what Allah makes clear to them, whether through a feeling in their heart, a dream, or the circumstances that unfold. It's advised to avoid making the decision immediately after the prayer and instead sleep on it, as the Prophet ﷺ mentioned. Repeating the Istikhara is permissible if clarity is not achieved.
Virtues & Benefits
The benefit of Istikhara is immense: it's a direct plea to the All-Knowing Creator for wisdom and guidance. It instills a deep sense of reliance (tawakkul) on Allah, freeing the heart from the anxiety of making the wrong choice. The Prophet ﷺ stated, 'None of those who seek guidance through Istikhara will fail, and none of those who seek sufficiency through consultation will regret.' (Reported by al-Bayhaqi in Sunan al-Kubra, and authenticated by al-Albani). This prayer ensures that whatever path is chosen, it is with Allah's blessing and approval, leading to peace and contentment.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he taught us Surahs of the Qur'an. He used to say: 'If any one of you is concerned about a matter, 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 wala aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wala a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, faqdurhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li feeh. Allahumma wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri, fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdur li-l-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih. (Then he mentioned his need).' - Sahih al-Bukhari 6306