28 May
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Reciting a dua before sleeping in Arabic is a powerful habit that helps get your heart and mind ready for a restful night. This simple yet profound prayer reflects key Islamic values like gratitude, seeking protection, and self-reflection. It reminds us gently of Allah’s constant presence and mercy as we close our day. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, made it a habit to recite specific duas every night, showing us how to embrace peace and spiritual connection before sleep.
In this blog, we will explore the most common duas to recite before sleeping, along with selected Surahs that offer spiritual protection and help ensure a peaceful night’s rest.
Benefits of reciting dua of sleep
- Spiritual Protection
By invoking Allah’s name before sleep, the believer seeks divine protection from harm, especially from unseen forces like the whispers of Shaytan. These nightly duas act as a spiritual shield, ensuring a restful sleep under Allah’s care.
- Psychological Peace
Reciting familiar, calming words of dua helps quiet the mind and reduce stress built up during the day. It’s a moment of letting go, where one entrusts their burdens to Allah, allowing the soul to unwind in complete tranquility.
- Mindfulness and Reflection
Before falling into sleep, this prayer encourages you to pause and reflect. It’s a chance to seek forgiveness, express gratitude, and recognize Allah’s blessings. This moment of intentional reflection brings spiritual clarity and emotional grounding.
- Strengthening Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Saying the dua every night builds a consistent habit of reliance on Allah. It nurtures a sense of security, reminding the believer that true safety and peace only come from the Creator.
- Protection from Nightmares
Alongside recommended surahs like Al-Falaq and An-Nas, the sleep dua serves as a barrier against bad dreams, ensuring a more peaceful and undisturbed rest.
- A Gentle Reminder of the Afterlife
Sleep is often described in Islam as the “minor death.” Through the sleep dua, one becomes more aware of life’s temporary nature and the importance of spiritual preparedness, making every night a subtle reminder of the Hereafter.
Best dua before sleeping in Arabic
- “باسمك ربي وضعت جنبي، وبك أرفعه، إن أمسكت نفسي، فارحمها، وإن أرسلتها، فاحفظها بما تحفظ به عبادك الصالحين.”
- “اللهم باسمك أحيا وأموت.”
- “اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ.”
- “اللَّهمَّ إِنَّكَ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا، إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا. اللَّهمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَافِيَةَ.”
- “اللهم أسلمت نفسي إليك، وفوضت أمري إليك، وألجأت ظهري إليك، رغبة ورهبة إليك، لا ملجأ ولا منجى منك إلا إليك، آمنت بكتابك الذي أنزلت، ونبيك الذي أرسلت.”
Duads transliteration
- “Bismika Rabbi wada’tu janbi, wa bika arfa’uhu, in amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfazu bihi ‘ibadaka as-salihin.”
- “Allahumma bismika ahya wa amut.”
- “Allahumma qini ‘adhabaka yawma tab‘athu ‘ibadaka.”
- “Allahumma innaka khalaqta nafsi wa anta tawaffaha, laka mamatuha wa mahyaha, in ahyaytaha fahfazha, wa in amattaha faghfir laha. Allahumma inni as’aluka al-‘afiyah.”
- “Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu dhahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk, amantu bikitabika allathee anzalta, wa binabiyyika allathee arsalta.”
English translations of the sleep duas
- “In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You, I raise it. If You take my soul, have mercy on it; and if You send it back, protect it as You protect Your righteous servants.”
- “O Allah, in Your name I live and die.”
- “O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.”
- “O Allah, You created my soul and You cause it to die; to You is its death and its life. If You keep it alive, protect it, and if You cause it to die, forgive it. O Allah, I ask You for well-being.”
- “O Allah, I have submitted my soul to You, entrusted my affairs to You, turned my back to You, in hope and fear of You. There is no refuge nor escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You sent.”
Sunnah practices of prophet Muhammad before sleeping
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught several spiritual practices to perform before going to sleep, which not only bring protection but also peace of mind and closeness to Allah.
- Reading the Final Two Lines of Surah Al-Baqarah
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (verses 285-286) at night, those two verses shall be sufficient for him to protect him from all harm.”
These verses contain profound messages of faith and reliance on Allah, making them a powerful shield throughout the night.
- Reciting Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas
It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas three times each before going to bed. These brief surahs ask Allah to keep you safe from bad things, danger, and the bad influences of Shaytan, helping you sleep peacefully and securely.
- Saying Tasbih Before Sleep
According to a narration from Ali رضي الله عنه to the Prophet ﷺ and Fatimah رضي الله عنها, before sleeping they would say:
- Takbir (saying “Allahu Akbar”) thirty-three times
- Tasbih (saying “SubhanAllah”) thirty-three times
- Tahmid (saying “Alhamdulillah”) thirty-three times
- Reciting Ayat al-Kursi (Verse of the Throne)
The Prophet ﷺ highly recommended reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping. Reciting it before bed brings immense spiritual safety throughout the night.
- Reciting Surah Al-Kafirun Before Sleeping
In Sunan Abu Dawood and Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, it is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ told Naufal al-Ash‘ari رضي الله عنه: “Recite [Surah] Qul Ya Ayyuha al-Kafirun (Say, O disbelievers), then sleep on its ending, for it is a declaration of disassociation from shirk (polytheism).”
Quran surahs to say recite before sleeping
Tips to make dua before sleeping for child a daily habit
- Use a Fun Reminder: Set a soft bedtime alarm with a cheerful sound. Call it “dua time” to make it feel like something special and exciting.
- Connect Dua with Bedtime Habits: Link the dua with brushing teeth, reading a bedtime story, or tucking into bed. This helps it become part of their natural routine.
- Make Wudu Together: Doing wudu as a family can be a fun and calming ritual. Tell your child it helps them feel clean and ready to speak to Allah.
- Use Visual Cues: Place a colorful dua card or poster near their bed. You can even create one together as a craft—this makes the process more interactive and memorable.
- Explain the Meaning Simply: Share that making dua keeps them safe, makes their heart happy, and reminds them that Allah is always near. Kids love understanding why something matters.
- Make It a Family Moment: Recite the dua together. When parents or older siblings join in, kids feel encouraged and included.
Build your Islamic knowledge with Noor Institute family
At Noor Institute, we aim to make learning meaningful, engaging, and deeply rooted in authentic Islamic teachings. We believe that education should not only inform but also inspire, fostering a lifelong connection to faith and values. Our platform provides a unique opportunity to grow spiritually while developing essential language skills through the best Arabic classes online. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your knowledge, our structured, interactive courses are designed to meet you at your level. With experienced teachers, child-friendly content, and a supportive learning environment, Noor Institute empowers both parents and children to connect more deeply with the Qur’an and the teachings of Islam, creating a nurturing path for spiritual growth.
Conclusion
Our beautiful religion provides us with all the tools to find peace, comfort, and spiritual protection, especially during the quiet moments before sleep. With many powerful dua before sleeping in Arabic, we are guided toward a restful night, surrounded by Allah’s remembrance and protected by His mercy.
At Noor Institute, we support this journey by offering online Arabic classes for kids, helping them connect more meaningfully with these blessed duas. Through proper understanding and pronunciation, children gain language skills along with developing a deeper bond with their faith, making bedtime a moment of calm, connection, and care.
Join our online Arabic classes today and transform bedtime into a spiritual experience.
