Dua for Sleeping: Adhkar Before Sleep

Here are the authentic duas and adhkar to recite before sleeping — from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

1. The Main Dua Before Sleeping

Arabic:

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Transliteration:

Bismika Allāhumma amūtu wa aḥyā

Translation:

"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."

Source: Narrated by Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه) — Bukhari 6311

This dua captures the essence of sleep in Islam: sleep is likened to a minor death, and waking is a return to life — both entirely in Allah's hands.

2. Reciting Surah Al-Kafirun

The Prophet ﷺ used to recite Surah Al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) before going to sleep.

Source: Abu Dawud 5055, Tirmidhi 3403

Reciting Al-Kafirun before sleep is a declaration of bara'ah — disassociation from shirk and polytheism — and a reaffirmation of pure tawhid before you close your eyes.

3. Tasbeeh Before Sleeping (33-33-34)

The Prophet ﷺ taught this dhikr to his daughter Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) when she asked for a servant to help with her household chores. He told her it was better than what she had asked for:

Source: Bukhari 3113

The Prophet ﷺ said: "That is better for you than a servant."

4. Ayat al-Kursi Before Sleeping

Recite Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) before lying down:

Arabic:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ...

Source: Bukhari 2311

A man from the companions caught a thief stealing from the charity funds, and the thief told him: "Recite Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, and Allah will appoint a guardian over you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning." The Prophet ﷺ confirmed: "He told you the truth, though he is a liar — that was a shaytan."

Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep brings divine protection through the night.

5. Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah

Recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285–286) before sleeping:

Arabic (2:285):

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ...

Source: Bukhari 5010

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him." Scholars explain "suffice him" to mean they will protect him and be enough for him from evil throughout the night.

Looking for more duas? Browse our complete Dua Collection — organized by occasion with Arabic text, transliteration, and translation.

Sunnah Habits Before Sleeping

Beyond the verbal adhkar, the Prophet ﷺ established a complete sunnah routine before sleep:

Sleep on Your Right Side

The Prophet ﷺ used to place his right hand under his right cheek when going to sleep. Sleeping on the right side is recommended in Islam — it is also the position facing the Qiblah when you lie down in many parts of the world.

Dust the Bed Three Times

Source: Bukhari 6320

The Prophet ﷺ instructed: "When one of you goes to his bed, let him dust off his bed with the inside of his lower garment three times." He added that you do not know what came upon the bed after you left it.

Sleep in a State of Wudu

Source: Abu Dawud 5042

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you go to your bed, perform wudu as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side."

Sleeping with wudu is one of the most overlooked yet rewarding sunnahs. The angels accompany the person who sleeps in wudu and make dua for them.

When and How to Recite

The pre-sleep adhkar are performed in this order:

1. Make wudu before bed
2. Dust the bed three times
3. Lie on your right side, facing the Qiblah
4. Recite Ayat al-Kursi
5. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun
6. Recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
7. Do the tasbeeh (33 Subhanallah, 33 Alhamdulillah, 34 Allahu Akbar)
8. Recite the main sleeping dua: Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya

There is no strict mandatory order for these, but building a consistent routine helps make them habitual. Start with one or two and add more as you become comfortable.

Virtues and Rewards

The pre-sleep adhkar are among the most blessed moments of the day. Sleep in Islam is not merely biological rest — it is an act of tawakkul (reliance on Allah). Every night you go to sleep, your soul is taken by Allah and returned to you upon waking.

The Quran references this directly: "Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that have not died during their sleep." (Az-Zumar, 39:42)

The tasbeeh alone carries enormous weight. When Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) — the Prophet's own daughter — came to him tired and exhausted, he did not give her worldly comfort. He gave her this dhikr. That tells you everything about the value of this practice.

Sleeping with wudu puts you in a state of worship even while you rest. Check your prayer times to ensure you wake for Fajr — the morning prayer that begins the day of a Muslim.

Related Duas

• Dua for Waking Up — the first words to say when you open your eyes in the morning
• Dua for Forgiveness — end your day by seeking Allah's forgiveness before sleep
• Dua for Success — duas for your goals in this life and the next