8 Recommended Duas to Read Before Sleeping at Night
The moments before sleep offer a powerful chance for reflection and spiritual connection in Islam. Sleep does not simply mark the end of the day; it allows a believer to remember Allah, seek protection, and strengthen faith. These nightly supplications are commonly known as Dua Before Sleeping or Nightly Adhkar (أذكار النوم).
Through QuranAdept’s Islamic guidance, learners understand that these short recitations serve two essential purposes. They complete the day with worship and guard the believer from physical and spiritual harm during the night. When made part of a daily routine, these Adhkar help ensure the soul rests in remembrance of Allah.
Preparation for Dua Before Sleep
Before reciting the specific Duas, Islam encourages a few Sunnah practices that prepare the heart and body for rest.
Renew Wudu
Performing ablution before sleep is highly recommended and reflects spiritual cleanliness.
Hadith Reference (Wudu):
Arabic: إِذَا أَتَيْتَ مَضْجَعَكَ فَتَوَضَّأْ وُضُوءَكَ لِلصَّلَاةِ
Transliteration: Idhaa atayta madj’a’aka fatawadda’ wudu’aka lissalah
English Translation:
“When you go to bed, perform ablution as you perform it for the prayer.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Dusting the Bed
Before lying down, lightly dust the bed with the edge of your garment. This Sunnah teaches cleanliness and awareness.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
2 Duas to Read Before Sleeping from the Quran
Islam emphasizes Quranic recitation as a source of protection. QuranAdept teaches these verses as part of spiritual self-care before sleep.
Dua No. 1 – Recite the 4 Quls
It is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas, blow lightly into the palms, and wipe over the body. Repeat this three times.
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ جَمَعَ كَفَّيْهِ ثُمَّ نَفَثَ فِيهِمَا فَقَرَأَ فِيهِمَا قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ وَقُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ثُمَّ يَمْسَحُ بِهِمَا مَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ يَبْدَأُ بِهِمَا عَلَى رَأْسِهِ وَوَجْهِهِ وَمَا أَقْبَلَ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ
“When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went to bed every night, he would cup his hands together, then breathe into them and recite: ‘Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad (Surah 112),’ ‘Qul A’oodhu bi Rabbil-falaq (Surah 113),’ and ‘Qul A’oodhu bi Rabbin-naas (Surah 114).’ Then he would wipe them over as much of his body as he could, beginning with his head, face, and the front of his body. He would do that three times.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Dua No. 2 – Recite Ayat al-Kursi
Ayat al-Kursi stands as the most powerful verse for nighttime protection. Reciting it ensures Allah’s safeguarding until morning.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
English Translation (Excerpt): “Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi (Throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not weary Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
Hadith Reference (Protection): Reciting this verse grants the protection of Allah, ensuring that no devil (Shaytan) comes near the person until morning. – (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Top 6 Duas to Say Before Sleeping from Hadith
These Duas come directly from authentic Hadith and form the core of nightly remembrance taught at QuranAdept.
Dua 1 – Final Profession of Faith
This short supplication recognizes Allah’s control over life and death.
Arabic: بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Transliteration: Bismika Allahumma amootu wa ahyaa
Translation:
“In Your Name, O Allah, I die and I live.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Dua 2 – Complete Submission and Protection
This Dua reflects total trust in Allah and secures death upon the natural faith if one passes during sleep.
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
English Translation: “O Allah, I submit my soul to You, I entrust my affair to You, I turn my face toward You, and I totally rely on You, with hope and fear of You. There is no refuge or sanctuary from You except in You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You have sent.” – (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet (PBUH) told the reciter that if they die that night, they will die upon the Fitrah (pure natural disposition).
Dua 3 – Tasbih of Fatimah (RA)
QuranAdept encourages this powerful remembrance before sleep:
- SubhanAllah – 33 times
- Alhamdulillah – 33 times
- Allahu Akbar – 34 times
This remembrance carries great reward and strength.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Dua 4 – Protection from Harm and Hardship
This comprehensive Dua seeks safety, forgiveness, and relief from debt and poverty.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الأَرْضِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ، فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى، وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ وَالْفُرْقَانِ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَىْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَىْءٌ، اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ
English Translation: “O Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Magnificent Throne. Our Lord and the Lord of everything. Splitter of the seed-grain and the date-stone, Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Criterion (Quran). I seek refuge in You from the evil of every creature You take by the forelock. O Allah, You are the First, for there is nothing before You; and You are the Last, for there is nothing after You; and You are the Manifest, for there is nothing above You; and You are the Hidden, for there is nothing beyond You. Relieve us from debt and enrich us from poverty.” (Sahih Muslim)
Dua 5 – Protection from Punishment
This short supplication seeks safety on the Day of Resurrection.
اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ
English Translation: “O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants.” (The Prophet (PBUH) used to say this when lying down to sleep.)
(Sunan Abi Dawud – Sahih)
Dua 6 – Placing the Hand Under the Cheek
Sleeping with the right hand under the cheek reflects humility and trust in Allah.
بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّـي وَضَعْـتُ جَنْـبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُـهُ، فَإِنْ أَمْسَـكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْـهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَـهَا فَاحْفَظْـهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
English Translation: “In Your Name, my Lord, I lay my side down, and in Your Name, I raise it up. If You should withhold my soul, then have mercy upon it, and if You should send it back, then protect it with that by which You protect Your righteous servants.” – (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Recommended Sleeping Position in Islam
Islam recommends sleeping on the right side, with calmness and remembrance. QuranAdept teaches this Sunnah as part of holistic Islamic living.
Hadith Reference:
ثُمَّ اضْطَجِعْ عَلَى شِقِّكَ الأَيْمَنِ
English Translation: “Then lie down on your right side.” – (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Conclusion
Reciting Duas before sleeping reflects reliance on Allah and recognition of His control over life and death. Ending the day with remembrance protects the believer from harm and allows the soul to rest in peace. When practiced consistently, Nightly Adhkar bring spiritual comfort, safety, and reward.
Through QuranAdept’s online Islamic learning, students learn not only the words of these Duas but also their meaning and purpose—helping every believer sleep with faith, trust, and peace.
See Also :
- Understanding the Spiritual Significance of the 27th Night of Rajab
- Essential Duas for Daily Life – Powerful Islamic Prayers
- Islam in the Modern Era: What You Need to Know
- How Parents Can Help Their Kids Learn Quran at Home
Want to make nightly Duas a habit for yourself or your children?
Join QuranAdept Online Quran & Islamic Studies classes, where certified tutors help you learn Duas, Quran recitation, and Sunnah practices step by step — with proper pronunciation, meaning, and daily application.
Start learning with QuranAdept today!
QuranAdept offers personalized online Quran classes for kids, adults, and new Muslims worldwide.Start your Quran learning journey with QuranAdept and enjoy a 3-day free trial.
