Evening adhkar are among the acts of worship that Muslims seek to maintain regularly. They include remembrance of Allah, seeking His protection, asking for forgiveness and requesting well-being.
They consist of Quranic verses, prophetic supplications and established forms of remembrance. Muslims are encouraged to recite them in the evening with sincerity, attention and trust in Allah.
Sayyid al-Istighfar
One of the most significant evening remembrances is Sayyid al-Istighfar, which is recited once:
«اللَّهُمَّ أنتَ ربِّي لا إلهَ إلَّا أنتَ، خَلَقْتَني وأنا عبدُكَ، وأنا على عهْدِكَ ووعدِكَ ما استطعتُ، أعوذُ بكَ من شرِّ ما صنعْتُ، أبوءُ لكَ بنعمتِكَ عليَّ، وأبوءُ لكَ بذنبي فاغفر لي، فإنَّهُ لا يغفرُ الذُّنوبَ إلَّا أنتَ».
Its reported virtue includes the promise that whoever says it with certainty and dies during that night will enter Paradise.
Ayat al-Kursi
Reading Ayat al-Kursi from Surah Al-Baqarah once is part of the established remembrance associated with protection.
It is reported that reciting it provides protection from Satan until morning, making it an important remembrance for the evening and before sleep.
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas
Among the important evening adhkar is reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas three times.
These three surahs are among the remembrances encouraged in the morning and evening, as they contain seeking refuge in Allah from various forms of evil.
Evening Supplication
A Muslim may also recite:
«أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى المُلْكُ للهِ، وَالحَمْدُ للهِ، لا إلهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شريكَ له، له المُلْكُ وله الحَمْدُ وهو على كلِّ شيءٍ قديرٌ».
The supplication renews the believer’s remembrance of Allah and affirms His oneness, sovereignty and power over all things.
Supplication for Protection
Another important evening supplication is:
«اللّهُمَّ عالِمَ الغَيبِ وَالشَّهادَةِ فاطِرَ السَّماواتِ وَالأرْضِ رَبّ كُلِّ شَيءٍ وَمَليكَه، أَشهدُ أَن لا إلهَ إِلاّ أنت، أَعوذُ بكَ مِن شَرِّ نفسي وَمِن شَرِّ الشَّيطانِ وَشِركِه».
It is recited once and includes seeking Allah’s protection from the evil of one’s own soul, Satan and shirk.
Seeking Refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah
Another established remembrance is:
«أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ».
This remembrance is commonly recited three times in the evening. It is also reported with a once-only wording in another context.
Supplication for Forgiveness and Well-Being
Among the comprehensive supplications a Muslim may recite is:
«اللّهُمَّ إِنِّي أسألُكَ العَفْوَ وَالعافِيَةَ في الدُّنيا وَالآخِرَة».
It is recited three times and asks Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.
How to Maintain Evening Adhkar
Muslims can make evening adhkar a regular part of their daily routine while taking care to recite established remembrances with their correct wording and prescribed repetitions.
It is also beneficial to recite them attentively rather than mechanically, reflecting on their meanings of monotheism, seeking protection, repentance and asking Allah for forgiveness and well-being.
What are the main evening adhkar?
They include Sayyid al-Istighfar, Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, along with supplications for protection and well-being.
How many times is Sayyid al-Istighfar recited in the evening?
It is recited once in the evening.
How many times are the three protective surahs recited?
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas are recited three times.
What is the supplication for well-being?
«اللّهُمَّ إِنِّي أسألُكَ العَفْوَ وَالعافِيَةَ في الدُّنيا وَالآخِرَة».
