Prayer of seeking guidance (Istikhara)
ٱللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ…
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'Azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'Allamul-ghuyub…
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek Your power through Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty — for You are able and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the unseen…
What this supplication is
Istikhara is the prayer of seeking Allah's choice when decisions loom — marriage, work, a move. Made as a two-rak'ah prayer followed by this dua, it hands the decision to the One who knows, with the heart's quiet peace as its usual fruit. It seeks Allah's guidance, not a sign.
When to recite it
Before a meaningful decision, after praying two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer.
Duas are a mercy in themselves — sincerity of heart matters more than eloquence. For a personal religious ruling about this supplication or your circumstances, consult a qualified scholar.
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