14 Dua Before Sleeping in English, Arabic Text and Benefits

It is important to remember Allah and supplicate to Him before falling asleep. This provides protection for you through the night and make you feel and enjoy the comfort of being close to your Creator. Failing to do so would be a source of regret on Judgment Day.

Dua Before Sleeping in English

There are so many sound du’as that you can say before sleeping that were narrated in the Prophet’s Sunnah among them are:

Reciting Qur’anic Portions

1. Ayat Ul-kursi

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاواتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Translation

Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Benefits

It is recommended to recite Ayat ul-Kursi when going to bed. This further demonstrates the excellence of this ayah.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) put me in charge of guarding the collected zakah of Ramadan.

Someone came and started to rummage in the food. I took hold of him and said, I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).… He [the one who came and rummaged in the food] said, When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursiy and you will be protected by Allah, and no devil will come near you until morning.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “He told you the truth even though he is a liar. That was a devil.”

Narrated by al-Bukhari (2311).

2. Reciting Surah Al-kafiroon

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
1. قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ
2. لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
3. وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
4. وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَا عَبَدْتُمْ
5. وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
6. لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ

Translation

1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.

Benefits

Before falling asleep, it is recommended to recite Surat ul-Kafirun: [Al-Kafirun 109:1-6]

Nawfal Bin Muawiyah and Silah Bin Harithah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“When you go to bed at night, recite ‘‘Qul ya ayyuhal kafirun’ [Al-Kafirun 109:1-6] and go to sleep while saying the last part of it. This is indeed a freedom from shirk.”

Narrated by Abu Dawud (5055)

3. Reciting The Muawwithat

Surah Al Iklas

Surah Al Falaq

Surah An Nas

Benefits

Upon going to bed, it is recommended to recite the three Muawwithat (surahs 112, 113, 114).

It is best to repeat these surahs three times, each time bringing the hands together, reciting them while breathing into the hands, and then rubbing the hands all over the body.

The Prophet (ﷺ) was keen to do this consistently, even during his final illness as ‘A’ishah RA reported:

“When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went to bed, he would bring the palms of both hands together, and breathe into them while reciting “Qul huw-allahu ahad’, “Qulauthu bi rabb-il-falaq”, and “Qul authu bi rabb-in-Nas”.

He would then rub with them whatever he could reach of his body, starting with his head, face, and the front part of his body. He would do this three times. When he was too ill, he asked me to do this for him.”

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (5017,5748), Abu Dawud, and others]

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4. Reciting Surah Al-isra, As-sajdah, Az Zumar, And Al-mulk

The Prophet (ﷺ) also recited some longer surahs before going to sleep: Surat ul-lsra (17), Surat us-Sajdah (32), Surat uz-Zumar (39), and Surat ul-Mulk (67).

Therefore, it is recommended to recite as much of these as time permits.

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would not sleep before he recited Bani Israil [al-Isra] and az-Zumar. Narrated by Abu Dawud (5055)

Jabir (رضي الله عنه) reported: “The Prophet (ﷺ) did not use to sleep before he recited Surat us-Sajdah (32) and Surat ul-Mulk (67).” [Recorded by an-Nasai, at-Tirmidhi, and others]

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) said: “Whoever reads Tabarak alladhi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Surat al-Mulk ] every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave.

At the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah it is a surah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.”

[Recorded by al-Nasai and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 1475]

5. Reciting the last two verses of surah Baqarah

It was narrated from Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari RA that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” [Recorded by al-Bukhari (5009) and Muslim (2714)]

6. Dua To Read Before Sleep

Before going to sleep, it is recommended to say Subhan Allah, al-hamdulillah, Allahu akbar.

Benefits

It was narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib that Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) went to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and asked him for a servant.

He said: “Shall I not tell you of something that is better for you than that? When you go to sleep, glorify Allah (by saying Subhan Allah) thirty-three times, praise Allah (by saying Al-hamdu Lillah) thirty-three times, and magnify Him (by saying Allahu akbar) thirty-four times.”

And I have never abandoned [that practice] since then. It was said: Not even on the night of Siffin? He said: Not even on the night of Siffin.

Narrated by al-Bukhari (5362) and Muslim (2727).

7. Dua Before Sleeping in Arabic

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى، وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ، وَالْإِنجِيلِ، وَالْفُرْقَانِ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ أّنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتهِ. اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَيْءٌ، اِقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ

Transliteration

Allahumma Rabbas-samaawaatis-sab’i wa Rabbal-‘Arshil-‘Adheem, Rabbanaa wa Rabba kulli shay ‘in, faaliqal-habbi wannawaa, wa munzilat-Tawraati wal-‘Injeeli, wal-Furqaani, ‘a’udhu bika min sharri kulli shay ‘in ‘Anta ‘aakhithun binaasiyatihi. Allaahumma ‘Antal-‘Awwalu falaysa qablaka shay’un, wa ‘Antal-‘Aakhiru falaysa ba’daka shay’un, wa ‘Antadh-Dhaahiru falaysa fawqaka shay’un, wa ‘Antal-Baatinu falaysa doonaka shay’un, iqdhi ‘annad-dayna wa ‘aghninaa minal-faqri.

Meaning in English

O Allah! Lord of the Seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne. Our Lord and the Lord of everything. Splitter of the grain and the date-stone, Revealer of the Torah and the Injeel and the Furqan (the Qur’an), I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything that You shall seize by the forelock. O Allah You are the First and nothing has come before you, and You are the Last, and nothing may come after You. You are the Most High, nothing is above You and You are the Most Near and nothing is nearer than You. Remove our debts from us and enrich us against poverty.

Abu Hurayrah RA reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) instructed that when a person goes to bed, he should lie on his right side and say this dua. [Recorded by Muslim (2713)]

8. Dua

اللَّهُمَّ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاواتِ والْأَرْضَ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى نَفْسِي سُوءاً، أَوْ أَجُرَّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍ

Transliteration

Allahumma ‘Aalimal-ghaybi wash-shahaadati faatiras-samaawaati wal’ardhi, Rabba kulli shay ‘in wa maleekahu, ‘ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta, ‘a’udhu bika min sharri nafsee, wa min sharrish-shaytaani wa shirkihi, wa ‘an ‘aqtarifa ‘alaa nafsee soo ‘an, ‘aw ‘ajurrahu ‘ilaa Muslimin.

Meaning

O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the evident, Maker of the heavens and the earth, Lord of everything and its Master, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his helpers. (I seek refuge in You) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Abu Hurayrah, and other companions RA, all reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) taught them to say this dua when going to bed. [Recorded by Abu Dawud 317]

9. Dua

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا، وَكَفَانَا، وَآوَانَا، فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لَا كَافِيَ لَهُ وَلَا مُؤْويَ

Transliteration

Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ‘at’amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa, wa ‘aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’wiya.

Meaning

Praise is to Allah Who has provided us with food and with drink, sufficed us and gave us an abode for how many are there with no provision and no home.

And Anas reported that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed, he would say this dua. [Recorded by Muslim (2715)]

10. Dua

Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

When one of you goes to his bed, let him dust it with the edge of his izar (lower garment), because he would not know what came into it since he had left it. Let him then lie on his right side and say:

بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، فَإِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

Transliteration

Bismika Rabbee wa-dh‘atu janbee , wa bika ‘arfa’uhu, fa’in ‘amsakta nafsee farhamhaa, wa ‘in ‘arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa, bimaa tahfadhu bihi ‘ibaadakas-saaliheen.

Meaning

With Your Name my Lord, I lay myself down and with Your Name I rise. And if my soul You take, have mercy on it, and if You send it back then protect it as You protect Your righteous slaves.

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (6320, 7393), Muslim (2714), and others]

11. Dua

Similar to this, ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) recommended saying before going to sleep:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا، لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا، إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فََاغْفِرْ لَهَا، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ

Transliteration

Allahumma ‘innaka khalaqta nafsee wa ‘Anta tawaffaahaa, laka mamaatuhaa wa mahyaahaa, ‘in ‘ahyaytahaa fahfadhhaa, wa ‘in ‘amattahaa faghfir lahaa. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-‘aafiyata.

Meaning

O Allah, You have created my soul and You take it back. Unto You is its death and its life. If You give it life then protect it, and if You cause it to die then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You for strength.

[Recorded by Muslim (2712)]

12. Dua

Huthayfah and al-Bara RA reported that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went to sleep, he would put his hand under his right cheek and say:

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Transliteration

Bismika Allaahumma ‘amootu wa ‘ahyaa.

Meaning

In Your Name, O Allah, I die and I live.

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (6312, 6314, 6324), Muslim (2710), and others]

13. Dua

Al-Bara Bin ‘Azib, Hudhayfah Bin al-Yaman, and Hafsah Bint ‘Umar RA reported that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed, he would put his hand under his right cheek and say:

اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ

Transliteration

Allaahumma qinee ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadaka.

Meaning

O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day that You resurrect Your slaves.

[Recorded by Narrated by Abu Dawud (5045)]

14. Dua

Just before falling asleep, it is recommended to express full resignation to Allah (ﷻ) and full reliance on Him. Al-Bara’ Bin ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) told him:

“When you go to bed, perform a wudhu like that for the prayer, then lie on your right side and say:

اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلاَ مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ

Transliteration

Allahumma ‘aslamtu nafsee ‘ilayka, wa fawwadhtu ‘amree ‘ilayka, wa wajjahtu wajhee ‘ilayka, wa ‘alja’tu dhahree ‘ilayka, raghbatan wa rahbatan ‘ilayka, laa maalja’ wa laa manja minka ‘illaa ‘ilayka, ‘aamantu bikitaabikal-lathee ‘anzalta wa bi-nabiyyikal-lathee ‘arsalta.

Meaning

O Allah, I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, turn my face to You, and lay myself down depending upon You, hoping in You and fearing You. There is no refuge, and no escape, except to You. I believe in Your Book (the Qur’an) that You revealed, and the Prophet whom You sent.

Etiquettes of Sleeping

Here are some etiquettes of sleeping in Islam:

1. Supplications (Duas): Recite the recommended supplications before going to sleep, such as Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Nas, and the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah.
2. Cleanliness: Ensure that you are in a state of cleanliness (performing ablution) before going to bed.
3. Sleeping on the Right Side: It is recommended to sleep on your right side, as mentioned in various traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
4. Reciting Bismillah: Say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) before lying down.
5. Dua for Protection: Recite the specific dua for seeking Allah’s protection while sleeping.
6. Avoiding Harmful Objects: Remove any harmful or impure objects from the bed or sleeping area.
7. Sleeping Early: It is encouraged to go to sleep early and not delay bedtime without a valid reason.
8. Avoiding Late-Night Conversations: Avoid engaging in lengthy or unnecessary conversations right before bedtime.
9. Good Intentions: Make a conscious intention to wake up for Fajr prayer and other acts of worship.

Additional Benefits

Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“You should understand that the hadiths and reports concerning this matter are many; what we have mentioned is sufficient for the one who is enabled to act upon them.

We refrain from quoting more for fear of tiring the student. Moreover, it is better for a person to do all that is mentioned concerning that, but if that is not possible, he should stick to what he is able to do of the most important thereof.”

(Al-Adhkar, p.95)

Abu Hurayrah RA reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whenever a person goes to sleep without remembering Allah, that will be a source of regret for him on Resurrection Day. And whenever a person sits in a sitting in which he does not remember Allah, that will be a source of regret for him on Resurrection Day.”

[Recorded by Abu Dawud and an-Nasai. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 611 and as-Sahihah no. 78)]

Knowing the power of dhikr before going to sleep, Shaytan tries hard to make us sleep without saying it. ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Shaytan comes to a person when he is ready to sleep, and makes him fall asleep before he finishes saying them (the adhkar).”

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 606)]

‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) said: “Falling asleep while saying dhikr is from Shaytan. If one of you wishes to verify this, let him lie in bed. If he then wishes to fall asleep, let him start extolling Allah (ﷻ).”

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (in al-Adabul-Mufrad 1208) and verified to be authentic by al-Albani]