Morning adhkar are among the acts of worship that Muslims strive to maintain at the beginning of each day. They include remembrance of Allah, seeking His forgiveness, asking for protection, and supplicating for well-being and mercy.
The authentic morning adhkar include Quranic verses, supplications, and forms of remembrance reported from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Ayat al-Kursi
Allah says:
“Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. 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 before them and what is behind them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and preserving them does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
Ayat al-Kursi is recited once as part of the morning remembrance.
Surah Al-Ikhlas and the Two Protective Surahs
Surah Al-Ikhlas is recited three times:
“Say: He is Allah, One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
Surah Al-Falaq is recited three times:
“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of what He created, from the evil of darkness when it settles, from the evil of those who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.”
Surah An-Nas is recited three times:
“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers in the hearts of mankind, from among jinn and mankind.”
Sayyid al-Istighfar
One of the greatest morning supplications is Sayyid al-Istighfar, which is said once:
“O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.”
“We Have Entered the Morning and Sovereignty Belongs to Allah”
The morning remembrance includes:
“We have entered the morning and sovereignty belongs to Allah. Praise belongs to Allah. There is no deity except Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs praise, and He is capable of all things. My Lord, I ask You for the good of this day and the good that follows it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this day and the evil that follows it. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from laziness and the evils of old age. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from punishment in the Fire and punishment in the grave.”
Being Pleased With Allah
This supplication is said three times:
“I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion, and Muhammad as my Prophet.”
Affirming the Oneness of Allah
Among the morning remembrances is:
“O Allah, I have entered the morning calling You to witness, and calling the bearers of Your Throne, Your angels, and all Your creation to witness that You are Allah; there is no deity except You alone, without partner, and that Muhammad is Your servant and Messenger.”
It is said four times.
Asking Allah for Forgiveness and Well-Being
The supplication includes:
“O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth. O Allah, conceal my faults and calm my fears. O Allah, protect me from before me, from behind me, from my right, from my left, and from above me. I seek refuge in Your greatness from being unexpectedly harmed from beneath me.”
Seeking Protection From Evil
A morning supplication includes:
“O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Lord and Sovereign of everything, I bear witness that there is no deity except You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my own self, from the evil of Satan and his association, and from committing evil against myself or bringing it upon another Muslim.”
Seeking Allah’s Help Through His Mercy
The supplication says:
“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help. Set right all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”
Glorifying and Praising Allah
One of the important forms of morning remembrance is:
“Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him.”
It is said one hundred times during the day.
The Declaration of Allah’s Oneness
Another important remembrance is:
“There is no deity except Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He is capable of all things.”
This form of remembrance has been reported with the virtue of being said one hundred times during the day, along with other reported forms and counts of remembrance.
When Should Morning Adhkar Be Recited?
The time for morning adhkar begins after dawn, and Muslims are encouraged to recite them at the beginning of the day. If someone misses the usual time, the adhkar may still be recited during the morning.
What matters is maintaining remembrance of Allah while being mindful of the meanings of the supplications and turning sincerely to Him.
Why Are Morning Adhkar Important?
Morning adhkar combine the affirmation of Allah's oneness, repentance, supplication, praise, and seeking protection in Allah. They provide a spiritual beginning to the day.
They also remind Muslims of Allah’s blessings and encourage reliance upon Him in both religious and worldly matters.
What are the authentic morning adhkar?
They include Ayat al-Kursi, Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, Sayyid al-Istighfar, remembrance of Allah’s oneness, and various authentic supplications for forgiveness, protection, and well-being.
How many times should Surah Al-Ikhlas be recited in the morning?
Surah Al-Ikhlas is recited three times, as are Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas.
Can morning adhkar be recited after sunrise?
Yes. If someone misses the usual time, they may recite the morning adhkar later during the morning.
What is the best time for morning adhkar?
Their time begins after dawn, and it is recommended to recite them early in the day.
Is it necessary to recite every morning dhikr?
Morning remembrance is a recommended act of worship. A Muslim can recite what is manageable while giving attention to the established forms of remembrance.
