Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught Muslims a number of supplications and forms of remembrance to recite before going to sleep, along with Quranic verses and surahs.
These bedtime practices include seeking Allah's protection, remembering Him, and asking for mercy, preservation and forgiveness.
In Your Name, My Lord, I Lay Down My Side
Before sleeping, a Muslim may say:
In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You I raise it. If You take my soul, then have mercy on it; and if You release it, then protect it as You protect Your righteous servants.
It is recited once.
O Allah, in Your Name I Die and Live
One of the established bedtime supplications is:
O Allah, in Your name I die and live.
It is recited once.
Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas
It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas three times before sleeping.
The Muslim brings the palms together, lightly blows into them, recites the three surahs, and then wipes over as much of the body as possible, beginning with the head, face and front part of the body.
This is repeated three times.
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi
Among the established bedtime practices is reciting Ayat al-Kursi, verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah.
A hadith mentions that whoever recites it before sleeping will have a protector from Allah and no devil will approach him until morning.
Reciting the Final Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
It is recommended to recite the final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, beginning with:
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers...
A hadith states that whoever recites the final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice for him.
Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir Before Sleeping
One of the established practices before sleep is to say:
- Subhan Allah 33 times.
- Alhamdulillah 33 times.
- Allahu Akbar 34 times.
The total is 100 repetitions.
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught this remembrance to Fatimah and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them.
The Supplication: O Allah, I Have Submitted Myself to You
Another established supplication to recite before sleeping is:
O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, turned my face toward You, entrusted my affairs to You, and committed my back to You, out of hope and fear of You. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book that You have revealed and Your Prophet whom You have sent.
This supplication is recommended at bedtime.
Are There Other Bedtime Adhkar?
Yes. Other authentic practices have also been reported from Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, including seeking refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He created, sleeping on the right side and performing ablution before going to bed.
A Muslim does not have to follow one fixed sequence containing every form of remembrance every night. Rather, it is recommended to maintain the established Sunnah practices with sincerity and reflection.
Benefits of Maintaining Bedtime Adhkar
Maintaining the Bedtime Adhkar helps Muslims end their day with remembrance of Allah and includes supplications for protection, reliance upon Allah and seeking His care.
Reciting the Quran and remembering Allah before sleep can also bring peace to the heart and remind the believer to rely upon Allah and seek His help.
What are the most important Bedtime Adhkar?
They include Ayat al-Kursi, the final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, and established bedtime supplications.
How many times are the three protective surahs recited before sleep?
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas are recited three times, followed by lightly blowing into the hands and wiping over the body.
How many times should Tasbih be recited before sleep?
Subhan Allah is said 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times.
Is Ayat al-Kursi part of the Bedtime Adhkar?
Yes. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping is an established Sunnah practice.
Must all Bedtime Adhkar be recited every night?
No. They are recommended acts of remembrance rather than obligatory duties, and Muslims are encouraged to maintain them as much as they can.
