The complete Islamic guide to bedtime supplications — with Arabic text, transliteration, English translation, and verified Hadith references for every dua before sleep.
Sleep is not merely a physical act in Islam — it is a moment of trust surrendered to Allah ﷻ. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us specific supplications and acts to perform before closing our eyes, transforming an ordinary nightly routine into an act of worship. Whether you seek protection from nightmares, peace of mind, or simply want to follow the Sunnah faithfully, this complete guide to the dua for sleeping covers every authentic bedtime supplication with Arabic text, transliteration, and meaning.
📖 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you go to your bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side and say: ‘O Allah, I have submitted my face to You, and I have submitted my affair to You…'” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 247
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Primary Supplication
The Main Dua for Sleeping
The most widely narrated dua for sleeping comes directly from the Prophet ﷺ, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. It acknowledges Allah’s absolute sovereignty over life and death — a profound reminder that every sleep is a minor death, and every awakening is a gift from Allah ﷻ.
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Dua Before Sleeping (Primary)
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya
“In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.”
💡 Why “I die and I live”?
Islamic scholars explain that sleep is described as a minor death — the soul partially departs. By saying this dua, a Muslim acknowledges complete dependence on Allah ﷻ. If Allah wills, morning will come and life will be returned; if not, the soul departs in His name. This profound awareness transforms every night into an act of tawakkul (reliance on Allah).
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Infographic
Sunnah Bedtime Routine — Step by Step
The Prophet ﷺ followed a specific routine before sleeping. Each step carries spiritual significance and has been preserved through authentic hadith. Follow this sequence every night to revive a beautiful Sunnah.
🌙 The Prophetic Bedtime Routine
Based on Authentic Hadith — Sahih Bukhari & Muslim
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Perform Wudu
Make ablution as you would for prayer before going to bed.
الوضوء
2
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Dust Bed 3×
Brush your bed with the edge of your garment three times before lying down.
نفض الفراش
3
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Recite Ayat al-Kursi
For divine protection through the night from Shaytan.
آية الكرسي
4
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Tasbih of Fatimah
33× SubhanAllah · 33× Alhamdulillah · 34× Allahu Akbar
تسبيح فاطمة
5
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Blow into Palms
Recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq & An-Nas 3× each, blow into palms and wipe the body.
سورة المعوذتين
6
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Say the Sleep Dua
Recite “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya” and the full dua from Bukhari.
دعاء النوم
7
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Sleep on Right Side
Lie on your right side, facing the Qiblah if possible. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
النوم على الجانب الأيمن
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Complete Collection
All Bedtime Duas — Full Islamic Guide
Beyond the primary sleep dua, the Prophet ﷺ taught several supplications and acts of dhikr to be performed at bedtime. Each one carries unique virtues and blessings. Here is the complete authenticated collection.
Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka, wa fawwadtu amri ilayka, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayka, wa alja’tu zahri ilayka, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayka, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalt, wa nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalt.
“O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have turned my face toward You, and I have placed my back against You, out of desire for You and fear of You. There is no refuge and no escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book that You revealed and in Your Prophet whom You sent.”
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Dua for Protection from the Punishment of the Grave
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir. SubhanAllah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
“There is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He is over all things omnipotent. Glory be to Allah, all praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and there is no power or might except with Allah.”
Amanar-Rasulu bima unzila ilayhi min Rabbihi wal-mu’minun. Kullun amana billahi wa mala’ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi… (Quran 2:285–286)
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and the believers…” — These two verses (Al-Baqarah 2:285–286) are sufficient for the one who recites them at night. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
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Infographic · Blessings
Virtues & Benefits of the Sleep Dua
Reciting the bedtime duas and adhkar is not merely a ritual — it carries profound spiritual benefits attested to in authentic hadith. Here are the key virtues, each supported by a specific narration.
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Divine Protection All Night
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep ensures that no shaytan can come near until morning. (Bukhari 2311)
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Soul Safely Returned
The dua acknowledges that the soul is with Allah during sleep and asks for its safe return upon waking. (Bukhari 6324)
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Last 2 Verses Suffice
Reciting the last two verses of Al-Baqarah provides comprehensive protection through the night. (Bukhari 5009)
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Tasbih Grants Strength
The Tasbih of Fatimah was given as a gift better than a servant — it grants strength and energy. (Bukhari 3113)
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Home Protected
Completing evening adhkar before sleep ensures protection of the home and family through the night.
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Die in a State of Iman
If death comes during sleep, the recitation of the dua means the soul departs in the remembrance of Allah ﷻ.
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Quranic Protection
Ayat al-Kursi Before Sleeping
Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255) is one of the greatest verses in the Quran and carries an extraordinary virtue when recited before sleep. The Prophet ﷺ himself confirmed this in a narration found in Sahih al-Bukhari, where a famous encounter with Shaytan in the form of an old man revealed this powerful secret.
📖 The Virtue of Ayat al-Kursi at Bedtime:
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, for there will remain over you a protector from Allah, and no shaytan will approach you until morning.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2311
Allahu la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard…
“Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep…” — Complete verse (Quran 2:255)
You can learn more about Quranic duas and their significance in our complete guide to Quranic Duas on DuaForAll.
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Sunnah Dhikr
Tasbih of Fatimah (RA) at Bedtime
When Fatimah (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ for a servant to help with household chores, he ﷺ instead gifted her something far more valuable — a bedtime dhikr that would give her the strength she needed. This Tasbih is recited at bedtime and carries immense reward.
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Tasbih of Fatimah — Bedtime Dhikr
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ
SubhanAllah — Glory be to Allah
33
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Alhamdulillah — All praise is for Allah
33
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar — Allah is the Greatest
34
Total: 100 remembrances of Allah — which is better for you than a servant and gives you the strength you need for the day ahead.
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Islamic Etiquette
Sunnah Acts Before Sleeping
In addition to the verbal supplications, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated specific physical acts and etiquette before sleep. These acts of Sunnah transform the nightly routine into a spiritually rich practice.
🛌 Sleep Position — Right Side Is the Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ would sleep on his right side, placing his right hand under his right cheek. Modern medicine also supports right-side sleeping for improved digestion and heart health — a beautiful alignment of faith and science. Sleeping on the stomach is discouraged, as narrated in Abu Dawud (Hadith 5040).
🚿 Performing Wudu Before Sleep
The Prophet ﷺ commanded: “When you go to your bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 247). This act of purity ensures that even if death comes during sleep, the believer departs in a state of taharah (purification).
🛏️ Dusting the Bed Three Times
Before lying down, the Prophet ﷺ would brush his bed three times with the edge of his lower garment, saying the associated dua. This act protects against harmful insects and is a conscious act of Sunnah. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6320).
📌 Tip for Parents:
Teaching children the Tasbih of Fatimah and Ayat al-Kursi before sleep plants the seeds of a lifelong Sunnah habit. Check our dedicated guide on Duas for Kids for child-friendly versions.
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Explore More
Related Duas on DuaForAll
Deepen your practice with these related duas and guides from our collection — all verified from authentic sources.
The primary dua for sleeping is: “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya” — “In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.” It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6324). There is also a longer version beginning with Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, which the Prophet ﷺ specifically instructed should be the last words before closing one’s eyes.
The complete Sunnah bedtime routine includes: (1) Performing wudu, (2) Dusting the bed 3 times, (3) Reciting Ayat al-Kursi, (4) Reciting the last two verses of Al-Baqarah, (5) Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas 3 times each and blowing into the palms, (6) Performing the Tasbih of Fatimah (33 SubhanAllah, 33 Alhamdulillah, 34 Allahu Akbar), (7) Reciting the bedtime dua, and (8) Sleeping on the right side.
Yes, it is an established Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, Allah will appoint a guardian over him and no shaytan will come near him until morning.” This hadith is found in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 2311). Scholars unanimously recommend reciting it every night.
The Tasbih of Fatimah refers to reciting SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times — totalling 100 glorifications. It is specifically recommended at bedtime. When Fatimah (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ for a servant to help her, he gifted her this dhikr instead, saying it is better for her than what she asked for. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3113, Muslim 2727)
The Sunnah is to sleep on the right side, placing the right hand under the right cheek, and facing the Qiblah if possible. Sleeping on the stomach is discouraged; the Prophet ﷺ disliked this position as it is the lying position of the people of the Fire. (Abu Dawud 5040). Sleeping on the right side is also scientifically beneficial for the heart and digestion.
If you have a bad dream, the Prophet ﷺ advised: (1) Spit lightly to your left three times, (2) Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan and the evil of what you saw, and (3) Change your sleeping position. Do not tell anyone about a bad dream and do not interpret it negatively. Good dreams are from Allah ﷻ; bad dreams are from Shaytan. (Sahih Muslim 2261)
Yes! Upon waking, the Prophet ﷺ would say: “Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur” — “All praise is due to Allah who gave us life after death, and to Him is the resurrection.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312). This mirrors the sleep dua and completes the cycle of remembrance.
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Trusted Sources
External Islamic Resources
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