AUTHENTIC ADHKAR BEFORE SLEEPING

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP

It is important to remember Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and supplicate to Him before falling asleep. This
provides protection for the believer through the night and makes him feel and enjoy the
comfort of being close to his Creator (‫)ﷻ‬. Failing to do so would be a source of regret on
Judgment Day. Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:

“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 (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:

“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 (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬said:

“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]

A) RECITING QUR’ANIC PORTIONS

1. RECITING AYAT UL-KURSI

It is recommended to recite Ayat ul-Kursi when going to bed. This further demonstrates
the excellence of this ayah. An incident similar to Ubayy Bin Ka’b’s earlier encounter
with the jinn occurred to Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬appointed him
to guard the food collected for zakat-ul-fitr (charity of Ramadan). On three consecutive
nights, he caught a seemingly poor person trying to steal from the charity. He was finally
determined to take him to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, but the person promised to teach him
something very useful if he let him go. Abu Hurayrah agreed, and the person told him:

“When you go to bed, recite Ayat ul-Kursi, ‘Allahu la ilaha illa huwal-hayyul-qayyum,’’
[Al-Baqarah 2:255] until you conclude it. Allah will then set a protector over you, and no
devil would approach you until the morning.”

In the morning, Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬related this to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬who told him:

“Indeed, he told you the truth — even though he is a liar. Do you know to whom
you have been speaking these three nights? That was the Devil.”

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (2311, 3275, 5010), Ibn Khuzaymah, and others]

2. RECITING SURAH AL-KAFIROON

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

Nawfal Bin Muawiyah and Silah Bin Harithah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported 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.”

[Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(Hidayat ur-Ruwah no. 2102, Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 605, and at-Taliqat ul-
Hisan nos. 786, 787).]

3. RECITING THE MUAWWITHAT

Upon going to bed, it is recommended to recite the three Muawwithat (surahs 112, 113,
114). ‘Uqbah Bin ‘Amir (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬told him:
 “O ‘Uqbah Bin ‘Amir, should I not teach you surahs that nothing similar to them
was revealed in the Tawrah (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), the Injil (Gospel), or the
Quran? They are: “Qul huw-allahu ahad”, “Qul authu bi rabb-il-falaq,” and “Qul
authu bi rabb-in-Nas.” Let not a night come upon you and you go to bed without
reciting them. Uqbah said: So every night I would recite them. It became my duty to
recite them, because the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬had commanded me to do so.”

[Recorded by Ahmad 16810. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no.

2861)]

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 (‫ )ﷺ‬was keen to do this consistently, even during his final illness as
‘A’ishah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported:

“When Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬went 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]

There are important distinctions between the manner of saying these three surahs in the
morning (or evening) and between reciting them when going to sleep. This is indicated
in the following table:
4. RECITING SURAH AL-ISRA, AS-SAJDAH, AZ ZUMAR, AND AL-MULK

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬also 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. ‘A’ishah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported:

“The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬did not use to sleep before he recited Surat ul-lsra (17) and
Surat uz-Zumar (39).”

[Recorded by at-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-

Sahihah no. 641)]

Jabir (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported:

“The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬did not use to sleep before he recited Surat us-Sajdah (32) and
Surat ul-Mulk (67).”

[Recorded by an-Nasai, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(as-Sahihah no. 585).]

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬said:

“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 (‫ )ﷺ‬we 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 (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬that 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).]

Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Waabil al-Sayyib (132): “They will suffice him against any evil
that may harm him.”

It was narrated that ‘Ali (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬said:

“I did not think that any sane person could sleep without reciting the last three
verses of Surat al-Baqarah.”

[In al-Adhkaar (220), al-Nawawi attributed it to the report of Abu Bakr ibn Abi Dawood,
then he said: It is saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhari and Muslim.]

B) ADHKAR (WORDS OF REMEMBRANCES)

6. ONE HUNDRED DHIKR BETTER THAN A SERVANT

Before going to sleep, it is recommended to praise Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬with takbir (Allahu’Akbar),

tasbih (Subhan’Allah), and tahmid (Alhamdullilah). ‘AIi (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that his
wife Fatimah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنها‬complained that her hands ached from using the hand mill.
Hearing that her father (‫ )ﷺ‬had received some war prisoners, she requested from him a
servant. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬came to her house and addressed her and ‘Ali saying:

“Should I not teach you both something better than what you requested? When
you go to bed, say tasbih (Subhan’Allah) thirty-three times, tahmid
(Alhamdulillah) thirty-three times, and takbir (Allahu’Akbar) thirty-four times. This
would be better for you than a servant.”

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (3113, 3705, 5361,5362, 6318), Muslim (2727), and others.]

‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:

“There are two acts that no Muslim worshipper does consistently but that he will
enter Jannah. And though they are easy, only few people perform them:

a. After each of the (five) prayers, say tasbih ten times, tahmid ten times, and
takbir ten times. This makes one hundred fifty (daily extollments) by tongue, and
one thousand five hundred (good deeds) in the Scale.

b. Upon going to bed, say takbir thirty-four times, tahmid thirty-three times, and
tasbih thirty-three times. This makes one hundred (extollments) by tongue, and
one thousand (good deeds) in the Scale.
So who among you would commit two thousand five hundred sins in one day (to
counter that)?

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬then added:

Satan comes to a person while he is ready to sleep, and makes him fall asleep
before he finishes saying them; and he comes to him after the prayer, and
reminds him of something he needs to do instead of saying them.”

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 606)]

7. SEEKING ALLAH’S PROTECTION AND ASKING HIM FOR ABUNDANCE

Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬instructed that when a person
goes to bed, he should lie on his right side and say:

َّ‫اْلب‬َ ْ ‫ فَال َِق‬،‫َش ٍء‬ ْ َ ‫ك‬ َّ ُ ََّ َ َ َ ََّ َ َ ْ ْ َ ْ ََّ َ َ ْ ََّ َ َ َّ َ َّ َ َ َّ َ ُ ََّ
ِ ِ ‫ ربنا ورب‬،‫ات السبعِ ورب العر ِش الع ِظي ِم‬ ِ ‫اللهم رب السماو‬
َ‫َش ٍء َّأنْت‬ْ َ ‫ك‬ َّ ُ َّ َ ْ َ ُ ُ َ
‫ش‬ ‫ِن‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ب‬ ‫وذ‬ ‫ع‬‫أ‬ ، ‫ان‬
َْ ُْ َ
‫ق‬‫ر‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ال‬‫و‬ ، ‫يل‬ ‫جن‬‫اْل‬
ْ َ
‫و‬ ،ِ ‫ة‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ َو ُم ْْن َل الََّ ْو‬،‫َوالََّ َوى‬
‫ر‬
ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ
ََ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ََّ َ َ
َ ْ ‫ اللََّ ُه ََّم أن‬.ِ‫اص َيته‬
‫ت اآلخ ُِر فليْ َس َب ْع َد َك‬ َ ْ ‫ َوأن‬،‫َش ٌء‬ ْ َ ‫ك‬ ‫ت األول فليس قبل‬ َ ٌ
ِ ‫آخِذ بِن‬
ٌ ْ َ َ َ ُ َ ْ َ َ ُ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ ٌ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ََّ َ ْ َ َ ٌ ْ َ
،‫ وأنت اْلاطِن فليس دونك َشء‬،‫ وأنت الظاهِر فليس فوقك َشء‬،‫َشء‬
ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ ََّ ََّ َ ْ
‫ا ِق ِض عنا الين وأغن ِنا مِن الفق ِر‬

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.

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.

[Recorded by Muslim (2713), Abu Dawud, and others]

Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬also mentioned that when Fatimah came to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
asking him for a servant (as in the previous hadith in the adhkar no.6), he told her to say
this extollment. [Recorded by Muslim (2713)]

8. SEEKING PROTECTION AGAINST ONESELF AND SHAYTAN’S HARM

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Abu Hurayrah, and other companions (‫)ريض اهلل عنه‬, all reported that
the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬taught them to say when going to bed:

ُ َ َ َ ْ َ َّ ُ ََّ َ َ َْْ َ َ ََّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ ََّ ُ ََّ

ََّ ‫ادة ِ فَاط َِر‬
َ ‫الس‬
،‫ك َش ٍء ومل ِيكه‬ ِ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ، ‫ض‬ ‫ر‬ ‫واأل‬ ‫اوات‬
ِ ‫م‬ ‫ب والشه‬ِ ‫اللهم َعل ِم الغي‬
ْ َ َ ْ ََّ َّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َّ َ ْ َ ُ ُ َ َ ْ َ ََّ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ َ ْ َ
،ِ‫ان و ِشكِه‬
ِ ‫ش الشيط‬ ِ ‫ ومِن‬،‫ش نف ِِس‬ ِ ‫ أعوذ بِك مِن‬،‫أشهد أن َل إَِل إَِل أنت‬
ْ ُ َ ُ ََّ ُ َ ْ َ ً ُ َْ ََ َ ََْ ْ ََ
‫ أو أجره إَِل مسل ٍِم‬،‫َتف لَع نف ِِس سوءا‬ ِ ‫وأن أق‬
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.

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.

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(as-Sahihah nos. 2753, 2763, 3443)]

9. EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR ALLAH’S FAVORS

Anas (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Whoever says when he goes to
bed:
 ََّ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ ََّ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ ََ ََّ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ
‫ اْلمد ِهلل ِ اَلِي‬،‫اِن‬ ِ ‫ اْلمد ِهلل ِ اَلِي أطعِم ِِن وسق‬،‫اِن وآو ِاِن‬ ِ ‫اْلمد ِهلل ِ اَلِي كف‬
َّ َ َ َ َّ َ ُ ْ َ َ ََّ َ ُ َ ْ َ َّ ََّ ُ ََّ َ َ ْ َ َ ََّ َ َ ََّ َ
ِ‫جي ِِن مِن الار‬ ِ ‫ اللهم إ ِ ِِن أسألك بِعِزت ِك أن تن‬،‫من لَع فأفضل‬
Alhamdulillahil-lathi kafaani wa-awaani; al-hamdu lillahil-lathi at‘amani wa-saqani;
al-hamdu lillahil-lathi manna ‘alayya fa-afdal. Allahumma inni as’aluka bi‘izzatika
an tunajjiyani minan-naar

Praise be to Allah who sufficed me and gave me abode; praise be to Allah who
fed me and gave me drink; praise be to Allah who favoured me with His
generosity. O Allah, I ask You, by Your dignity, to save me from the Fire.

Whoever says this should indeed have praised Allah with all forms of praise of
the whole creations.”

[Recorded by al-Bayhaqi, al-Hakim, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(as-Sahihah no. 3444)]

And Anas (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬went to bed, he would say:

َ‫ِف َ َُل َو ََل ُم ْؤوي‬ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ََّ َّ ُ ْ َ ْ

َ ِ ‫ك ْم م ََِّم ْن ََل ََك‬ ‫ ف‬،‫ وآوانا‬،‫ وكفانا‬،‫اْلمد هلل ِ اَلِي أطعمنا وسقانا‬

Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ‘at’amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa, wa ‘aawaanaa,

fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’wiya.

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.

[Recorded by Muslim (2715)]

Similar to this, Ibn ‘Umar (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬used to say when he
went to bed:
 َ ْ َ ََّ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ََّ َ َ ََّ َ ََّ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ َ ََّ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ
‫اِن‬
ِ ‫اِن واَلِي من لَع فأفضل واَلِي أعط‬ ِ ‫اِن وآو ِاِن وأطعم ِِن وسق‬ ِ ‫اْلمد ِهلل ِ اَلِي كف‬
َ ُ ُ َ ْ َ َّ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ َّ ُ ََّ َ ََّ ُ ََّ َ َّ ُ َ َ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ
‫ك َش ٍء أعوذ بِك‬ ِ ‫ك َش ٍء ومل ِيكه ِإَوَل‬ ِ ‫ال اللهم رب‬ٍ ‫كح‬ ِ ‫فأجزل اْلمد ِهلل ِ لَع‬
ََّ َ
ِ‫مِن الار‬
Alhamdu lillahil-lathi kafani wa-awani, wa-at’amani wa-saqani; wal-lathi manna
‘alayya fa-afdal, wal-lathi a’tani fa-ajzal. Al-hamdu lillahi ‘ala kulli hal. Allahumma
rabba kulli shay’in wa-malikah, wa-ilaha kulli shay’in, a’udhu bika minan-nar

Praise be to Allah Who has given me sufficiency, has guarded me, given me food
and drink, been most gracious to me, and given to me most lavishly. Praise be to
Allah in every circumstance. O Allah! Lord and King of everything, God of
everything, I seek refuge in You from Hell.

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(Sunan Abi Dawud no. 5058)]

10. A TAHLEEL THAT BRINGS GREAT FORGIVENESS

Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬instructed to say the following
when going to bed, and indicated that whoever says it, his sins will be forgiven, even if
they were as much as the foam ot the sea:

َ ٌ َ ْ َ َّ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ ُ ْ َ ْ ُ َ َ ُ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ ْ َ َُ ََّ َ َ َ
‫َل‬,‫ك َش ٍء قدِير‬ ِ ‫ وهو لَع‬،‫ َل الملك وَل اْلمد‬،‫شيك َل‬ ِ ‫َل إَِل إَِل اهلل وحده َل‬
ُ ََّ َ َ َ َ
َ‫اهلل‬ ََّ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ََّ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ ْ ََّ ََّ َ ََّ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ
‫ وَل إَِل إَِل‬،ِ ‫ واْلمد ِهلل‬،ِ‫اهلل‬ ‫ سبحان‬,‫ل ال َع ِظي ِم‬
َِّ ِ ‫حول وَل قوة إَِل بِاهلل ِ الع‬
ْ َ َُ َ
ُ‫ك َب‬ ‫واهلل أ‬

La ilaaha illallaah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lah ul-mulku, wa-lah ul-hamdu, wa-
huwa ‘alaa kulli shay´in qadir. Laa hawla walaa quwwata illaa billaah il-‘Aliyy il-
‘Adheem. Subhaan Allaahi, wal-hamdu lillaahi, wa-laa ilaaha illallaahu, wallaahu
akbar

There is no (true) god except Allah, alone and without any partners. To Him
belongs the dominion, He deserves all praise, and He is capable of everything.
There is no power or might except from Allah, the Supreme, the Great; exalted be
Allah; all praise be to Allah; there is no (true) god but Allah; Allah is the Greatest.
[Recorded by an-Nasa’i, and Ibn Hibban. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani in Sahih
ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 607]

11. ASKING ALLAH FOR PROTECTION, FORGIVENESS, AND WELL-BEING

Abu Hurayrah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:

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:

ْ َْْ َ َْ َ ْ َ َْ ْ َ ُُ ََْ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ َّ َ َ ْ
‫ ِإَون‬،‫ فإِن أمسكت نف ِِس فارَحها‬،‫ وبِك أرفعه‬،‫ت َجن ِِب‬
َ ‫بِاس ِمك ر ِِب وضع‬
َ‫اْل ِي‬ َّ َ َ َ َ ُ ََْ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َْ َ َْ
ِ ‫ بِما َتفظ بِهِ عِبادك الص‬،‫أرسلتها فاحفظها‬

Bismika Rabbee wa-dh‘atu janbee , wa bika ‘arfa’uhu, fa’in ‘amsakta nafsee

farhamhaa, wa ‘in ‘arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa, bimaa tahfadhu bihi ‘ibaadakas-
saaliheen.

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]

Similar to this, ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
recommended saying before going to sleep:

ْ َ ‫ إ ْن أ‬،‫اها‬
َ‫ح َييْ َتها‬ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ََّ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ََّ ََّ ُ ََّ
ِ ‫ي‬ ‫م‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬‫ه‬‫ات‬‫م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ل‬ ،‫ا‬ ‫اه‬ ‫ف‬‫و‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ن‬ ‫أ‬‫و‬ ‫ِس‬ ِ ‫ف‬ ‫اللهم إِنك خلقت ن‬
َ َ َ ْ َ ُ َ ْ َ َّ ََّ ُ ََّ َ ْ ْ َ َ ََّ َ َ ْ ْ َْ َ
‫ اللهم إ ِ ِِن أسألك العافِية‬،‫ ِإَون أمتها فََاغفِر لها‬،‫احفظ َها‬
َ ‫ف‬

Allahumma ‘innaka khalaqta nafsee wa ‘Anta tawaffaahaa, laka mamaatuhaa wa

mahyaahaa, ‘in ‘ahyaytahaa fahfadhhaa, wa ‘in ‘amattahaa faghfir lahaa.
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-‘aafiyata.
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. ASKING ALLAH FOR THE COMPANY OF ANGELS

Abu Zuhayr al-Anmari (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬went to bed at
night, he would say:

ْ َ ْ َ َ ََّ ُ َ َ ْ َ ْ ْ َ َ ْ َ ْ ْ ََّ ُ ََّ ْ َ ُ ْ َ َ ََّ ْ

‫اِن واجعل ِِن ِِف‬
ِ ‫اِن وفك رِه‬
ِ ‫بِس ِم اهلل ِ وضعت جن ِِب اللهم اغفِر َِل ذن ِِب وأخسِئ شيط‬
َ ْ َ َّ ََّ
‫ِي األلَع‬ِ ‫الد‬
Bismillahi wa-dh‘atu janbi, Allahummaghfirli dhanbi, wa-akhsi shaytani, wa-fukka
rihani, wajalni fin-nadiyy il-a’la

In the name of Allah, I have laid down my side for Allah. O Allah! forgive me my
sin, drive away my devil, free me from my responsibility (i.e., free me from sins),
and place me in the highest assembly (i.e., the angels).

[Recorded by Abu Dawud (5054). Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Hidaytun ur-

Ruwah no. 2345)]

13. AFFIRMING ALLAH’S CONTROL OVER LIFE AND DEATH

Huthayfah and al-Bara (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬went to sleep, he
would put his hand under his right cheek and say:

ْ َ‫وت َوأ‬
َ‫حيا‬ ُ ‫ك اللََّ ُه ََّم أ َ ُم‬
َ ْ
‫بِاس ِم‬

Bismika Allaahumma ‘amootu wa ‘ahyaa.

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

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

14. SEEKING PROTECTION FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF THE HEREAFTER

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

َ َ ُ ََْ ََْ َ َ َ َ
َ‫ادك‬ َّ َ ُ ََّ
‫اللهم ق ِِِن عذابك يوم تبعث عِب‬

Allaahumma qinee ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadaka

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

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, an-Nasai, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

(as-Sahihah no. 2754). Al-Albani (Rahimahullah) further indicated in the latter reference
that saying this three times, as appears in some reports, is unauthentic]

15. WORDS THAT ILLUMINATE YOUR GRAVE AND YOUR PATH TO JANNAH

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar that he said: “Whoever says following every (obligatory)
prayer and when he goes to bed, three times..,

ََ َ ُْ َ َّ َّ َ َّ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ ْ ََّ َ َ َ ً َ ُ َ ْ َ َُ
‫ت‬
ِ ‫ات المبارَك‬
ِ ‫ الطي ِب‬,‫ات‬ِ ‫ات اهلل ِ الام‬
ِ ‫ وَك ِم‬, ِ‫ عدد الشفعِ والوِتر‬, ‫اهلل أكب كبِريا‬

Allahu akbar kabeera ‘adad-ash-shaf‘i wa’l-witr, wa kalimaati-Allahi at-taammaati,

at-tayyibaati-al-mubaarakaat

Allah is Most Great the number of the even and the odd, and the blessed, pure,
perfect words of Allah.

and Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (there is no god but Allah) the same number of times, i.e say
three times

ََ َ ُْ َ َّ َّ َ َّ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ ْ ََّ َ َ َ َُ ََّ َ َ ‫َل‬

‫ت‬
ِ ‫ات المبارَك‬
ِ ‫ الطي ِب‬,‫ات‬ِ ‫ات اهلل ِ الام‬
ِ ‫ وَك ِم‬, ِ‫ عدد الشفعِ والوِتر‬،‫إَل إَِل اهلل‬

Laa ilaaha ill-Allah ‘adad-ash-shaf‘i wa’l-witr, wa kalimaati-Allahi at-taammaati, at-

tayyibaati-al-mubaarakaat
 There is no god but Allah the number of the even and the odd, and the blessed,
pure, perfect words of Allah.

..they will be light for him in his grave, and light on the jisr (bridge), and light on
the siraat (bridge over Hell), until they admit him to Paradise, or until he enters
Paradise.”

[Collected by Ibn Abee Shaybah in his Musannaf 10/229 (29256). Al-Hindi in Kanz
graded this hadeeth as having a Hasan Isnad. This hadeeth has the ruling of being
attributed to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬as Ibn Umar is speaking about the unseen and this can
only learned from the Messenger.(Ikhtasar ulumul Hadith)] For a Commentary click here

16. SEEKING REFUGE WITH ALLAH’S NOBLE FACE AND PERFECT WORD’S

Narrated by ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (‫)ريض اهلل عنه‬, the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬used to say when
he laid down:

َ‫اص َيتِهِ اللََّ ُه َّم‬َ‫ت آخ ٌِذ بن‬

َ ْ َ َ َّ َ ْ ََّ ََّ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ُ َ َّ ََّ ُ ََّ
ِ ِ ‫ش ما أن‬ ِ ‫اللهم إ ِ ِِن أعوذ بِوج ِهك الك ِري ِم وَك ِمات ِك الامةِ مِن‬
َ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ ُ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ ُ ْ ُ ُ َ ْ ُ َ ََّ ُ ََّ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ
‫أنت تكشِ ف المغرم والمأثم اللهم َل يهزم جندك وَل ُيلف وعدك وَل ينفع ذا‬
َ َ َ ْ ُ َُّ َ ْ َ ْ َّ َ ْ
‫ح ْمد َِك‬َ ‫ك َوب‬
ِ ‫اْل ِد مِنك اْلد سبحان‬

Allahumma inni a’udhu bi wajhikal-Kareem, wa kalimaatikat-taammati min sharri

maa anta aakhidhun binaasiyatihi, Allahumma anta takshiful-maghrama wal-
ma`thama, Allahumma laa yuhzamu junduka wa laa yukhlafu wa’duka wa laa
yanfa’u dhal-jaddi minkal-jaddu, subhaanaka wa bihamdika

O Allah, I seek refuge in Your Noble Face, and in Your Perfect Words from the evil
of that which You seize by its forelock (all things). O Allah! You are the remover
of debt and sin. O Allah! Your armies are not conquered, Your Promise is not
broken and the riches of the rich do not avail against You. Perfection, praises and
thanks be unto You.

[Narrated by Abu Dawood (5052). Classed as ‘strong’ by Arna`oot in Takhreej Sunan

Abi Dawood. Authenticated by Nawawi in al-Adhkaar (111), and classed as Hasan by
ibn Hajr in al-Futoohaat ur-Rabbaniyyah (3/112) and by Muqbil al-Waadi’i in as-Sahih
ul-Musnad (937)]

17. EXPRESSING FULL SUBMISSION TO ALLAH AND RELIANCE ON HIM

Just before falling asleep, it is recommended to express full resignation to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and
full reliance on Him. Al-Bara’ Bin ‘Azib (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬told
him:

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

َ َْ ْ َ ُ ْ ََّ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ََّ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ََّ ُ ََّ

،‫ ووجهت وج ِِه إَِلك‬،‫ وفوضت أمرِي إَِلك‬،‫اللهم أسلمت نف ِِس إَِلك‬
َ ْ َ ََّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ً َ ْ َ َ ً َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َْ َ َ
،‫ َل ملجأ وَل منجا مِنك إَِل إَِلك‬،‫ رغبة ورهبة إَِلك‬،‫وأْلأت ظه ِري إَِلك‬
َ‫ك ََّاَلِي أ َ ْر َسلْت‬
َ َّ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ََّ َ َ
‫كتابِك اَلِي أنزلت وبِنب ِ ِي‬ ُ ْ‫آمن‬
ِ ِ‫ت ب‬
َ

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.

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.

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬then added:

If you would then die during that night, you die upon fitrah. And let these be your
last words.”

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (247, 6311, 6315, 7488), Muslim (2710), and others]

18. ASKING FOR GOOD DREAMS

When ‘A’ishah (‫ )ريض اهلل عنها‬was ready to go to sleep, she would say:

َ ْ ‫ ناف َِع ًة َغ‬،‫ري َكذِبَ ًة‬

ََّ ‫ري َض‬ َ ْ ‫ َصادِقَة َغ‬،‫اْل ًة‬ َ ُ
َ ِ ‫ك ُر ْؤيا َص‬ َّ ََّ
‫ار ٍة‬ ‫الل ُه ََّم إ ِ ِِن أسأل‬

Allahumma innee as-aluka ru’ya saalihatan, saadiqatan ghayra kaadhibah,

naafi`atan ghayra dhaarrah
 O Allah, I ask You to grant me a dream that is good, truthful, and beneficial.

And when she used to say this, it was understood that she will not speak till she woke
up in the morning or when she woke up in the night.

[Recorded by Ibn us-Sunni (743). Verified to be authentic by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar graded
its chain as “Saheeh” in al-Futoohaat al-Rabbaaniyyaj (3/170) and Nitaj ul-Afkar (3:89)]

Also reported that `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬supplicated saying:

َ‫ريا فَأَرِن ُر ْؤيا‬ َ ْ‫اللََّ ُه ََّم إ ْن ُكن‬

ََّ ِ ‫ت َت ْعلَ ُم‬
ً ْ ‫ِف َخ‬
ِِ ِ

Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu fiya khairan fa‘rinee ru’ya

O Allah! If you see any good in me, show me a good dream.

[Recorded by al-Bukhari (7028, 7029, 7030), Ibn Maajah (3919)]

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST NIGHT’S HARM

When a person camps or sleeps in an unfamiliar place where he fears the attack of
harmful insects or creatures, he is urged to seek Allah’s protection through His complete
words, which include His books and His decree.

Khawlah Bint Hakim (‫ )ريض اهلل عنها‬reported that she heard the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬say:

“Whoever stops at a place (for camping or rest) and says :

َ‫ش َما َخلَق‬ َّ َ ‫ات م ِْن‬ َ ََّ

َّ‫اهلل ِ الََّام‬ َ َ ُ ُ َ
ِ ِ ‫ات‬
ِ ‫أعوذ بِكل ِم‬

A’udhu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq.

I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.

nothing will harm him while he stays at that place.”

[Recorded by Muslim (2708), an-Nasa’i, and others.]

‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬taught the sahabah to say
the following words before going to bed, should they fear something:

َ َ َ ْ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َّ َ َّ َ ََّ َ َ ُ ُ َ
ِ ‫ ومِن همز‬،ِ ‫ش عِبادِه‬
‫ات‬ ِ ‫ و‬،ِ‫ات ِمن غضبِهِ وعِقابِه‬ ِ ‫ات اهلل ِ الام‬ِ ‫أعوذ بِكل ِم‬
ُ ُ َْ ْ ََ َ ََّ
‫ون‬
ِ ‫ِي وأن َيُض‬ ِ ‫الشياط‬
‘A’udhu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min ghadhabihi wa ‘iqaabihi, wa sharri
‘ibaadihi, wa min hamazaatish-shayaateeni wa ‘an yahdhuroon.

I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from His anger and His punishment,
from the evil of His slaves and from the taunts of devils and from their presence.

[Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be hasan by al-Albani (as-
Sahihah no. 264)]

From Khaalid ibn al-Waleed (‫ )ريض اهلل عنه‬that, “… he complained to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
saying, ‘I feel some fear at night.’ So he (‫ )ﷺ‬said, ‘Should I not teach you some
words which Jibreel (‫ )عليه السالم‬taught me when he believed a powerful [Ifreet] Jinn
was plotting against me? He said:

َ‫ش َما يَ ْْن ُل مِن‬ َّ َ ‫ات الََِّت ََل ُُيَاو ُز ُه ََّن بَ ٌَّر َو ََل فَاج ٌر م ِْن‬ َّ‫ام‬
َ َّ َ َ َ ُ ُ َ
ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ‫ات اهلل ِ ال‬ ِ ‫أعوذ بِكل ِم‬
َ َّ َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ََّ
‫َِت‬
ِ ‫شف‬ ِ ‫ ومِن‬،‫ش ما ذرأ ِِف األر ِض وما ُيرج مِنها‬ ِ ‫ ومِن‬،‫السماءِ وما يعرج فِيها‬
ُ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ُ ُ ْ َ ً َ ََّ َ ََّ َ ْ ََّ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ َّ َ َ َ ْ ََّ
‫َحان‬ ‫ري يا ر‬ ٍ ِ ‫ِب‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ر‬‫ط‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ق‬ِ ‫ار‬‫ط‬ ‫َل‬ ‫إ‬
ِ ِ ‫ار‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ال‬ ‫و‬ ‫ل‬
ِ ‫ي‬‫الل‬ ‫ق‬
ِ ِ ‫ار‬ ‫و‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ش‬
ِ ‫ِن‬ ‫م‬‫و‬ ،‫ار‬‫ه‬ ‫ال‬ ‫َِت‬
ِ ‫اللي ِل وف‬
A’udhu bi-kalimaatillaahit-Taammaatillati laa yujaawizuhunna barrun wa laa
faajirun min sharri maa yanzilu minas-samaa‘i wa maa ya’ruju feehaa, Wa min
sharri maa dhara‘a fil-ardi wa maa yakhruju minhaa, Wa min sharri fitanil-layli wa
fitanin-nahaari, Wa min sharri tawaariqil-layli wan-nahaari illaa taariqan yatruqu bi
khairin, Yaa Rahmaan!

I seek refuge in the Most Perfect Words of Allah which no righteous or evil person
can pass from the evil that comes down from the sky and ascends it! And from
the evil that is sowed in the earth and the evil that comes out from it! And from
the evil of the tribulations of the night and the tribulations of the day! And from
 the evil of all the ones who come knocking during the night and day except
someone who comes knocking with good, O Most Merciful One!’”

[Recorded by at-Tabarani in al-Kabeer (3838). See as-Saheehah 2738]

It is important to make these precautions and remembrances part of our daily life.
This would provide us with a blissful night, and would also weigh heavily in our
scale of good deeds – In sha Allah