Some people experience insomnia and difficulty sleeping and look for supplications, remembrance, or Quran verses that may help them relax and fall asleep.
There are established supplications and adhkar to be recited before sleep. However, regarding a specific dua prescribed specifically for insomnia, a narration has been reported but was considered weak by hadith scholars.
Is There a Specific Dua for Insomnia?
A narration attributed to Zayd ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, states that he experienced sleeplessness at night and mentioned it to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
The reported supplication says:
“O Allah, the stars have disappeared and the eyes have become still, and You are Ever-Living and Sustaining. O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, make my eyes sleep and calm my night.”
Zayd ibn Thabit reportedly said that he recited the supplication and his sleeplessness went away.
However, hadith scholars regarded this report as weak, so it should not be presented as an authentic prophetic hadith.
What Is the Ruling on Using a Weak Hadith for Sleep?
Scholars have stated that weak hadith may be acted upon in matters of virtues of deeds under certain conditions, including that the narration is not severely weak and that it is not believed to be definitively established from the Prophet.
Therefore, a person experiencing insomnia may supplicate to Allah with permissible words and ask Him for tranquility, comfort, and restful sleep, without believing that the previously mentioned supplication is an authentically established Sunnah specifically prescribed for insomnia.
What Adhkar Can Be Recited Before Sleep?
There are established supplications and adhkar for bedtime, which are broader than assigning one particular dua as a treatment for insomnia.
A Muslim can observe the established bedtime remembrance, along with reciting whatever Quran is easy for them and making permissible supplications before sleeping.
The established bedtime remembrance includes glorifying Allah, praising Him, declaring His greatness, and reciting several reported supplications.
Are There Specific Quran Verses for Sleep?
There is no established evidence that a particular Quran verse should be specifically designated for sleep because it is believed to induce sleep.
However, reciting the Quran in general is a permissible act of worship, and a Muslim may recite whatever is easy before going to bed.
It is important to distinguish between general Quran recitation and specifically assigning a particular verse as a treatment for insomnia without evidence.
What Can a Muslim Do When Unable to Sleep?
When sleep becomes difficult, a Muslim can turn to Allah through supplication, seeking forgiveness, and remembrance. They may also recite whatever Quran is easy for them and maintain the established bedtime adhkar.
It is also important not to attribute a particular supplication or remembrance to the Sunnah without reliable evidence, especially when claiming that it is specifically prescribed to treat insomnia or induce sleep.
Is there an authentic dua specifically for insomnia?
No authentic report has established a specific supplication exclusively for treating insomnia. However, a Muslim may ask Allah for sleep, tranquility, and comfort using permissible supplications.
Is the dua beginning “O Allah, the stars have disappeared” authentic?
It was reported from Zayd ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, but hadith scholars considered the report weak.
Can a person recite a dua found in a weak hadith?
Scholars have discussed allowing weak hadith in matters of virtues of deeds when the weakness is not severe and the narration is not believed to be definitively established from the Prophet.
Are there specific Quran verses that help with sleep?
There is no authentic evidence establishing a particular Quran verse specifically for inducing sleep, although reciting the Quran before bedtime is permissible.
