Evening adhkar are an important part of daily worship. They give Muslims an opportunity to remember Allah, seek His guidance and protection, ask for well-being, and renew their reliance upon Him.
The Sunnah contains several supplications and forms of remembrance for the evening. Some have a specific number of repetitions established in authentic reports, while others should not be restricted to a particular number without evidence.
Essential Quranic Verses and Supplications
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 earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne encompasses the heavens and the earth, and preserving both does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.﴾
Muslims commonly include Ayat al-Kursi in their daily remembrance. It should not, however, be assigned a specific number unless supported by evidence.
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas are recited three times in the morning and evening according to the Sunnah.
Sayyid al-Istighfar
One of the greatest supplications for seeking forgiveness is:
“O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant. I remain faithful to Your covenant and promise as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.”
Sayyid al-Istighfar is recited once in the evening.
Evening Adhkar and Supplications
“We Have Entered the Evening”
Among the evening remembrances is:
“We have entered the evening and sovereignty belongs to Allah. Praise belongs to Allah. There is no deity except Allah, alone without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He is capable of all things. My Lord, I ask You for the good in this night and the good that follows it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil in this night and the evil that follows it. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from laziness and the difficulties of old age. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from punishment in the Fire and punishment in the grave.”
Another evening supplication says:
“O Allah, by You we enter the evening, by You we enter the morning, by You we live, and by You we die, and to You is the resurrection.”
Asking Allah for Forgiveness and Well-Being
Among the comprehensive supplications is:
“O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.”
It is a concise prayer asking Allah for protection and well-being in both this life and the next.
Supplication for Physical Well-Being
A Muslim may say:
“O Allah, grant well-being to my body. O Allah, grant well-being to my hearing. O Allah, grant well-being to my sight. There is no deity except You.”
This supplication is reported as being repeated three times in the morning and evening.
Seeking Refuge in Allah’s Perfect Words
One of the established supplications is:
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.”
It is reported to be said three times in the evening.
Reliance upon Allah
A Muslim may recite:
“Allah is sufficient for me. There is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”
This is a Quranic verse from Surah At-Tawbah. While reciting it as remembrance and supplication is permissible, assigning it specifically to seven repetitions as an established Sunnah should not be stated without reliable evidence.
Sending Blessings upon the Prophet
Muslims are encouraged to frequently send blessings and peace upon Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
A simple form is:
“O Allah, send blessings, peace, and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad.”
Sending blessings upon the Prophet is a virtuous act, but a specific number or a particular promised reward should not be attributed to the Sunnah without reliable evidence.
Additional Evening Supplications
Among the prophetic supplications is:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from the burden of debt and from being overcome by others.”
Another supplication says:
“O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, Creator of the heavens and earth, Lord and Sovereign of everything, I testify that there is no deity except You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself, and from the evil of Satan and his association.”
A further supplication is:
“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help. Set right all my affairs and do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”
The Importance of Evening Adhkar
Maintaining evening remembrance gives Muslims a regular opportunity to remember Allah, seek His help, ask for goodness and well-being, and seek refuge from harm.
The purpose of adhkar is not merely to repeat words. Muslims should strive to understand their meanings and recite them with sincerity, humility, and awareness of their dependence upon Allah.
When Should Evening Adhkar Be Recited?
Evening adhkar are recited during the evening. Some texts specifically refer to the morning and evening, while scholars have discussed the details of when these periods begin and end.
A Muslim can establish a regular time in the evening to recite as many authentic adhkar as possible without abandoning the practice simply because there is not enough time to complete every remembrance.
What are the most important evening adhkar?
They include Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, Sayyid al-Istighfar, and established supplications for protection and well-being.
How many times are the three Quls recited?
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas are recited three times in the evening.
Is Sayyid al-Istighfar an evening dhikr?
Yes. It is among the established supplications and is recited once in the evening.
Must all evening adhkar be recited?
No. Muslims should strive to maintain the authentic remembrances and recite what they are able to complete.
Can blessings upon the Prophet be recited in the evening?
Yes. Sending blessings and peace upon Prophet Muhammad is a virtuous act that may be practiced in the evening and at other times.
