The Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims a number of supplications and forms of remembrance to recite when preparing for sleep. These bedtime adhkar combine remembrance of Allah with supplication and seeking His protection.
Among the supplications reported before sleeping is:
“In Your name, my Lord, I place my side, and in You I raise it. If You take my soul, have mercy upon it, and if You return it, protect it as You protect Your righteous servants.”
Another prophetic supplication is:
“O Allah, You created my soul and You take it in death. To You belongs its death and its life. If You give it life, protect it, and if You cause it to die, forgive it. O Allah, I ask You for well-being.”
A Muslim may also say:
“O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”
Another reported supplication says:
“Praise belongs to Allah who fed us and gave us drink, sufficed us and gave us shelter. How many have neither one who suffices them nor one who shelters them.”
The Prophetic Supplication Before Sleep
Among the well-known bedtime supplications is:
“O Allah, I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, turn my face toward You, and rely upon You. I turn to You in hope and fear. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed and Your Prophet whom You sent.”
These words express submission, reliance upon Allah and faith before going to sleep.
Tasbih Before Sleeping
Among the well-known remembrances before sleep is:
Subhan Allah — 33 times
Alhamdulillah — 33 times
Allahu Akbar — 34 times
This remembrance is commonly known as the bedtime tasbih and is among the practices Muslims may observe before going to sleep.
Quranic Adhkar Before Sleep
The prophetic practice also includes reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas before sleeping.
The worshipper gathers the palms, lightly blows into them, recites the three surahs and then wipes over as much of the body as possible, beginning with the head and face. This is repeated three times.
Ayat Al-Kursi Before Sleep
Another important Quranic remembrance before sleeping is Ayat Al-Kursi:
“Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep...” [Quran 2:255]
The verse continues by affirming Allah’s complete knowledge, authority and protection over the heavens and earth.
The Final Two Verses of Surat Al-Baqarah
It is also recommended to recite the final two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah before sleeping, beginning with:
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers...”
The Prophet Muhammad said regarding the final two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
Bedtime Adhkar for Insomnia
Specific supplications have also been reported for someone experiencing restlessness or fear during the night.
One such supplication is:
“O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and what they shade, Lord of the earths and what they carry, and Lord of the devils and those whom they mislead, be my protector against the evil of all Your creation, lest any of them transgress against me. Mighty is Your protection, exalted is Your praise, and there is no deity but You.”
Another supplication taught for fear is:
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His anger, the evil of His servants, the whispers of the devils and their presence.”
What Should You Do After a Disturbing Dream?
The Sunnah explains how a Muslim should respond to a disturbing dream.
If a person sees something they dislike, they should seek refuge in Allah from its evil, lightly blow or spit dryly toward the left three times, change the side on which they were sleeping and avoid telling others about the dream.
The Prophet Muhammad said that if someone sees a dream they fear, they should seek refuge in Allah from its evil because it will not harm them.
A person who experiences a disturbing dream may also get up and pray.
By contrast, when a person sees a pleasant dream, they should praise Allah for it and may share it with someone they love.
Evening Adhkar and Bedtime Remembrance
Remembrance of Allah is associated in the Quran with tranquility of the heart. Allah says:
“Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” [Quran 13:28]
Allah also says:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” [Quran 2:152]
For this reason, Muslims may observe the evening adhkar along with the specific bedtime remembrances before going to sleep, combining remembrance and supplication at the end of the day.
What are the authentic bedtime adhkar?
They include prophetic supplications, Ayat Al-Kursi, the final two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah, Surat Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, as well as tasbih, tahmid and takbir.
What should I say before sleeping?
Among the reported supplications are: “In Your name, my Lord, I place my side...” and “O Allah, I submit myself to You and entrust my affairs to You...”
How many times should Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas be recited?
The three surahs are recited together, followed by wiping over the body, and the practice is repeated three times.
What should I do after a disturbing dream?
Seek refuge in Allah, lightly blow toward the left three times, change your sleeping position and avoid telling others about the dream. You may also get up and pray.
What are the bedtime adhkar for insomnia?
Reported supplications for restlessness and fear include “O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and what they shade...” and seeking refuge in Allah’s perfect words.
