Sleep is one of Allah’s signs in creation. Allah Almighty says that He made the night for rest and the day for seeking His bounty and working.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught Muslims several supplications and acts of remembrance to recite before going to bed. These include verses from the Quran, glorification of Allah, supplications for protection, and expressions of complete reliance upon Him.

Bedtime Adhkar From the Prophetic Sunnah

There is no single required order for all bedtime adhkar. Rather, several authentic supplications and Quranic passages have been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

1. “O Allah, in Your Name I Live and Die”

Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet used to say when going to bed:

“O Allah, in Your Name I live and die.”

Upon waking, he would say:

“Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.”

2. Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir Before Sleep

The Prophet instructed Ali and Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them, to glorify Allah 33 times, praise Him 33 times, and declare His greatness 33 times before going to bed.

Another narration mentions saying “Allahu Akbar” 34 times.

3. Supplication When Lying Down

Among the authentic bedtime supplications is:

“In Your Name, my Lord, I place my side, and by You I raise it. If You take my soul, then have mercy upon it; and if You release it, then protect it as You protect Your righteous servants.”

The Sunnah also mentions dusting the bed before lying down.

4. Reciting Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas

The Prophet used to gather his hands, lightly blow into them, and recite:

Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas.

He would then wipe over whatever parts of his body he could reach and repeat this three times.

5. Reciting the Last Two Verses of Al-Baqarah

The Prophet said:

“The last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him.”

Scholars explained this statement in several ways, including protection from harm, the need for additional night prayer, or protection from Satan.

6. The Bedtime Supplication After Wudu

The Prophet instructed Al-Bara' ibn Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, to perform ablution before sleeping, lie on his right side, and say:

“O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, entrusted my affair to You, and turned 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 which You have revealed and Your Prophet whom You have sent.”

The Prophet then said that if a person dies after saying this, he dies upon the natural disposition.

7. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi

Among the most important bedtime adhkar is Ayat al-Kursi, the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.

A narration in Sahih al-Bukhari states that whoever recites it before sleeping will have a protector from Allah, and Satan will not approach him until morning.

8. “O Allah, Protect Me From Your Punishment”

It was reported that the Prophet would place his right hand beneath his cheek when going to sleep and say:

“O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”

He would say this three times.

9. Supplication for Protection and Relief From Debt

Another authentic bedtime supplication begins:

“O Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Mighty Throne, our Lord and Lord of everything…”

It includes seeking Allah’s protection from every evil, affirming that Allah is the First and the Last, and asking Him to settle debts and remove poverty.

10. Reciting Surah Al-Kafirun

The Prophet instructed Nawfal Al-Ashja'i, may Allah be pleased with him, to recite:

“Say: O disbelievers”

before sleeping, describing it as a declaration of freedom from shirk.

Is There One Specific Order for Bedtime Adhkar?

There is no single mandatory order for all bedtime adhkar. Muslims may recite the authentic supplications and Quranic passages according to what has been reported from the Prophet.

The important principle is to rely on authentic forms of remembrance and to end the day with remembrance of Allah, seeking His protection, mercy and forgiveness.

What Are the Best Things to Recite Before Sleeping?

Among the most important bedtime practices are Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Nas, Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir, and the authentic supplications reported from the Prophet.

These adhkar combine remembrance, monotheism, reliance upon Allah and seeking His protection, making bedtime an opportunity for tranquility and spiritual peace.

What are the complete bedtime adhkar?
They include Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of Al-Baqarah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas, and authentic Prophetic supplications.

Do bedtime adhkar have to be recited in a specific order?
No. There is no single required order unless a specific order is established by the Sunnah.

Can bedtime adhkar be recited without wudu?
Yes. Remembrance and supplication may be made without wudu, although performing wudu before sleeping is recommended in the Sunnah.

How many times should Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas be recited?
The Prophet used to recite them and wipe over his body three times.

What are the most important Quranic passages to recite before sleep?
Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of Al-Baqarah, and the three Quls are among the most prominent passages reported in the Sunnah.