The dua for seeking guidance in forming a decision is the perfect way of asking for the counsel of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) while conflicted over a decision. To have Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) on your side is by far the biggest benefit that one could desire for oneself, and this dua is one of the easiest yet effective ways to do that. By reciting this dua, the intention is that Allah will guide you towards the decision that is better for you.
The dua for seeking guidance in forming a decision or the dua e Istikhara. This dua is a practical manifestation of a believer yielding to the authority and magnificence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and acknowledging His limitless knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to teach this dua to his companions while educating them about the proper method of performing Istikhara. Jabir bin `Abdullah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated this dua and the instance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) teaching the method of Istikhara in ( Sahih al-Bukhari 1166). The same has been reported in ( Sunan an-Nasa'i 3253)
Praising Allah (FR) Duas (FR)
Allaahumma 'innee 'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka min fadhtikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa 'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra-(then mention the thing to be decided) Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree, faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree, fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi.
Jâber Ibn 'Abdullah qu'Allah les agrée tous les deux a rapporté : « Le Messager d'Allah (saws) nous enseignait la consultation dans toutes les décisions à prendre comme il nous enseignait le Coran. » Il disait : "Lorsque l'un de vous décide de faire quelque chose qu'il fasse deux rak'ât autres que les prières obligatoires, puis qu'il disent :" « Ô Seigneur ! Je Te consulte de par Ta connaissance et je T’implore de m’accorder le pouvoir de Ton pouvoir et je Te demande cde Ton immense générosité. Car Tu es certes capable et je suis incapable, Tu sais tout tandis que moi je ne sais pas, et c’est Toi le Grand Connaisseur de tout ce qui est inconnu. Ô Seigneur ! Si Tu sais que cette chose (et il nomme clairement la chose en question) est une source de bien pour moi dans ma religion, dans ma vie présente et dans ma vie future (ou il dit : ici-bas et dans l’au-delà) destine-la-moi et facilite-la-moi puis bénis-la-moi. Et si Tu sais que cette chose est pour moi une source de mal dans ma religion, dans ma vie présente et dans ma vie future (ou il dit : ici-bas et dans l’au-delà) détourne-la de moi et détourne-moi d’elle et prédestine-moi le bien là où il se trouve puis rends-moi satisfait de cette décision.»
A Believer's cry for need in front of His Lord requires honesty. One should have pure intentions and a firm belief that Allah will guide them towards the correct decision. Moreover, one should accept the decision after performing the istikhara; one should not make the decision that was not chosen by Allah.
The best way to make the dua is by reciting the dua after praying two raka'ahs of non-obligatory prayer as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the above-mentioned hadith. After reciting the salah, one should recite the istikhara dua and state your need or purpose for istikhara clearly. Allah will guide you toward the right decision; your heart will automatically be more inclined towards one option than the other.
The benefits of the dua are in emphasizing the basic belief of Tawheed. A believer, through the recitation of this dua, hands over his case to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The believer seeks the guidance of the Almighty through the virtues of omnipotence, knowledge, power, and bounty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). This carries excellent rewards within itself as performing the Dhikr of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Among the other benefits of this dua is a believer expressing his contentment in the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and one's fate. The person also acknowledges the limitless love that the Almighty has for His servants and thus gains peace of heart and mind in knowing that His Lord will choose whatever's best for him and that he will be rewarded in the best way possible.