8 Duas And Prayers Before Sleeping in Islam

There’s a wonderful tranquility found in the peaceful sleep of a righteous servant of Allah, a tranquility derived from the fulfillment of daily prayers, good deeds, and the warm remembrance of Allah. As the day wraps up and night settles in, a unique bond is formed between the servant and his Creator, the Lord of the Heavens. As Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised, among the most important times for a human being to seek connection with Allah is before surrendering to sleep. It’s a time of vulnerability, a time of difficulty, but also a time of profound peace.

As our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) lay on his right side, often upon his right cheek, he would commence a series of prayers, invocations that provided a safe haven for his soul and a shield for his mental health.

This beautiful Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad exemplifies how sleep can be transformed into an act of worship, connecting us to the Almighty Allah. As narrated by Abu Hurayrah and Zaid bin Thaabit (Radiallahu Anhu), there are several recommended Duas to recite before sleeping.

Dua 1:
“بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا”
Bismika Allahumma Amutu wa Ahya
“In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.”

Dua 2:
“اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا”
Allahumma Bismika Amutu wa Ahya
“O Allah, with Your name I die and I live.”

Dua 3:
“اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ”
Allahumma qini ‘adhabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibadaka
“O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the day when You resurrect Your servants.”

Dua 4:
“بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، فَإِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ”
Bismika rabbi wada’tu janbi, wa bika arfa’ahu, fa-in amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfazu bihi ibadakas saliheen
“In Your name my Lord, I lie down and in Your name I rise, so if You should take my soul then have mercy upon it, and if You should return my soul then protect it in the manner You do so with Your righteous servants.”

Dua 5:
“اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا، لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا، إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ”
Allahumma innaka khalaqta nafsi wa anta tawaffaaha, laka mamatuha wamahyaha, in ahaytaha fahfazha, wa-in amattaha faghfir laha. Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afiyah.
“O Allah, You have created my soul and You take its life, to You belongs its life and death. If You give it life then protect it, and if You cause it to die then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You for wellbeing.”

Dua 6:
“اللَّهُمَّ عَالِمَ الغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْء ٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى نَفْسِي سُوءاً، أَوْ أَجُرَّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍ”
Allahumma ‘alimal-ghaybi wash-shahadah, fatiras-samawati wal-ard, rabb kulli shay’in wa malikahu, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa ant, a’udhu bika min sharri nafsi, wa min sharrish-shaytan wa shirkihi, wa an aqtarifa ‘ala nafsi su’an, aw ajurrahu ila muslim.
“O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Lord and Sovereign of all things, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil and shirk of the devil, and from committing wrong against my soul or bringing such upon another Muslim.”

Dua 7:
“سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ (33)، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (33)، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (34)”
SubhanAllah (33 times), Al-Hamdu Lillah (33 times), Allahu Akbar (34 times)
“Glory be to Allah” (33 times), “Praise be to Allah” (33 times), “Allah is Most Great” (34 times)

Dua 8:
Abu Dawood reported from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite these two verses from Surah Al-A’raf before going to sleep:

“إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ۖ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ”Inna Rabbakumu Allahul-Ladhee Khalaqas-Samawaati Wal-‘Ardh Fee Sittati ‘Ayamin Thumma Istawa ‘Alal-‘Arsh. Yughshil-Laylan-Nahara Yatlubuhu Hathithan Wash-Shamsa Wal-Qamara Wan-Nujooma Musakhkharatin Bi-Amrihi. Alaa Lahu Al-Khalqu Wal-Amru Tabaraka Allahu Rabbul-‘Alameen.
“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He Istawa (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!”

Please remember that these duas are part of the Prophet’s Sunnah and are recommended to be recited before sleeping as a means of seeking protection, guidance, and blessings from Allah Almighty.

And the Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat Al-Kursiy, Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, and Surah Al-Mulk, highlighting the importance of the perfect words of Allah at this sacred time.

In a Hadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, the Prophet ﷺ suggested that it’s recommended to sleep in a state of Wudu, to sleep on the right side, and to say “Bismika Rabbi Wada’tu Janbi, wa bika arfa’ahu, fa in amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfazu bihi ibadakas saliheen”.

The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is replete with these beautiful Duas and teachings, highlighting the value of turning every action into a powerful act of worship, even something as simple as sleep. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ reiterated the importance of these night prayers in a Hadith reported by Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah, stating that whoever recites Ayat al-Kursiy before sleep, Allah’s protection will stay with them the entire night.

As Muslim Ummah, we should use these Duas not merely as routine utterances but as sincere invocations from the depth of our  hearts. These are not just words but powerful deeds that can help us draw closer to Allah. In times of hardship and ease, in good health and in illness, these Duas can be our constant companions, nourishing our souls and strengthening our bonds with our Creator.

The mental health benefits of these Duas should not be underestimated either. In the face of life’s challenges, these prayers can provide a soothing balm for our weary souls, infusing them with hope, serenity, and resilience. Reciting them on a regular basis can help alleviate daytime sleepiness and promote peaceful sleep, which is critical for our physical and emotional well-being.

Moreover, reciting these prayers has great rewards. As narrated by Abu Huraira, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The person who offers his night prayer persistently will have his sins forgiven or his supplications answered.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahihul Jamiea). It’s a spiritual practice that brings blessings, mercy, and forgiveness from Allah.

Additionally, these prayers are a testament to the monotheism central to Islam’s core beliefs. Phrases such as “none worthy of worship but Allah,” “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), and “laa ilaha illa Huwa” (there is no deity except Him) echo through these invocations, affirming our unyielding faith in Allah’s sovereignty.

Yet, the practice of reciting these prayers before sleep is often neglected. Some might attribute this to a lack of time, while others might be unaware of the significance of these Duas. But let’s remember the words of the Prophet (ﷺ) – “Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me.” Reciting these Duas, therefore, is not only an act of faith but also an affirmation of our love for the Prophet (ﷺ).

To conclude, as Muslims, we are blessed to have been given such beautiful and powerful invocations by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By reciting these Duas, we not only reinforce our connection with our Creator but also transform our sleep into an act of worship. As the last words we utter before drifting into sleep, they serve as a soothing lullaby for our souls, a spiritual armor protecting us through the night, and a beacon of hope guiding us towards a better tomorrow.

As we continue to recite these prayers, may Allah bless us with good things, protect us from the evil of our souls, and grant us the tranquility and peace we yearn for. Ameen.