Dua for Guidance - Istikhara
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1162
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
Transliteration
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.
English meaning
O Allah, I seek Your guidance 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, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
When to recite
When facing a decision or important choice
Benefits & virtues
The Istikhara prayer is offered when one needs guidance from Allah regarding a decision.