Duas Before Sleeping
Learn the authentic duas to recite before sleeping, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These bedtime supplications ensure peaceful and blessed rest.
The Sunnah of Sleeping in Islam
Sleep in Islam is described in the Qur'an as a sign of Allah's mercy: "And it is He who made for you the night as a covering and sleep as a means of rest" (Surah al-Furqan 25:47). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never went to bed without a small set of supplications that turned an ordinary night into an act of worship — and that, according to several Hadiths, would carry the reward of a full night of prayer if the person died in their sleep. The duas below are the most authentic in the bedtime routine, drawn from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abu Dawud. Reciting them takes only a few minutes, but together they form a complete spiritual seal over the night.
The Core Duas Before Sleeping
1. The Main Sleeping Dua
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Transliteration: Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.
Translation: "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6324 — Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (RA) reported that whenever the Prophet ﷺ went to his bed at night he would say these words, and upon waking he would say: "Alhamdulillahi-lladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhi-n-nushur" ("Praise be to Allah who gave us life after He had caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection").
2. Ayatul Kursi for Nightly Protection
Recite the entire Verse of the Throne (Surah al-Baqarah 2:255) once before sleeping.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5010 — the Prophet ﷺ told Abu Hurayrah (RA): "When you go to bed, recite Ayatul Kursi. A guardian from Allah will remain over you, and Satan will not come near you until morning." See the complete verse on our Ayatul Kursi page.
3. The Three Quls — Cupped and Blown Over the Body
Recite Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas — each three times — then blow softly into the palms and wipe over the head, face and as much of the body as you can reach, starting from the top. Repeat the cup-blow-wipe three times.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5017 — 'A'ishah (RA) reports that this was the Prophet ﷺ's nightly practice.
4. The Tasbeeh Fatimi
Say SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times — totalling one hundred — while lying in bed.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5362, Sahih Muslim 2727 — the Prophet ﷺ taught this to his daughter Fatimah (RA) when she asked him for a servant, saying it was better for her than what she had asked for.
5. The Final Two Verses of Surah al-Baqarah
Recite Amana-r-rasulu … (Qur'an 2:285–286).
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5009, Sahih Muslim 807 — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him." Scholars explain "suffice" to mean protection from harm and substitute for night prayer.
6. The Comprehensive Bedtime Dua
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ.
Translation: "O Allah, I submit my soul to You, I entrust my affair to You, I turn my face to You, and I commit my back to You — out of hope and fear of You. There is no refuge nor escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed, and Your Prophet whom You sent."
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6311, Sahih Muslim 2710 — al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (RA) reports the Prophet ﷺ saying: "Whoever says these words and dies that night dies upon the fitrah."
Sunnah Etiquettes Before Sleep
- Perform wudu before lying down (Sahih al-Bukhari 247) — the soul ascends in a state of purity.
- Dust the bed three times with the inner edge of your lower garment, reciting Bismillah — for one does not know what may have crawled onto it (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320).
- Lie on the right side, place your right hand under your right cheek, and face the qiblah where possible.
- Switch off lights and cover food and water containers, mentioning Allah's name (Sahih Muslim 2012).
- Make sleep your last conscious act of dhikr — many scholars recommend that the very last words on the tongue be la ilaha illallah.
Common Questions About Sleeping Duas
What if I fall asleep before finishing all of them?
You are rewarded for what you complete. Many scholars recommend prioritising — at minimum — Ayatul Kursi, the three Quls, and "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya". The rest can be added as the habit matures.
What should I say if I wake up at night from a bad dream?
The Prophet ﷺ instructed: spit dryly to the left three times, seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what you saw and from Shaytan three times, and turn over to your other side. The dream will not harm you (Sahih Muslim 2261).
Are these duas only for night-time sleep?
The same duas apply to any sleep — including a daytime nap — because the underlying realities (death of the soul as Allah describes in Qur'an 39:42, vulnerability, dependence on Allah) are the same.
What is the dua upon waking?
"Alhamdulillahi-lladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhi-n-nushur" — "Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6324).