Duas for Sleeping: Supplications for the Night
Sleeping is a daily act of trust: Muslims hand their night to Allah, knowing death and waking both belong to Him. The recorded duas for sleep are few, short and potent — protection from evil, remembrance of Allah, and a conscious return to Him each night.
The dua upon lying down
A beloved night-time du'a is: 'Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya' — 'In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live' — reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. On waking, the companion dua returns: 'Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur' — 'Praise be to Allah who gave us life after death, and to Him is the return.' The two frame sleep as a minor death and waking as a resurrection — a daily lesson in the hereafter.
Protection through the mu'awwidhat
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is recorded combining his palms, reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas, and passing his hands over his body — a practice reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. Reciting these three surahs before sleep is widely taught as protection for the night.
A verse of protection: Ayat al-Kursi
The Qur'an's verse of the Throne (2:255) is described in hadith as a protection when recited before sleeping — 'You will have a protector from Allah, and no satan shall approach you until morning' (Sahih al-Bukhari). It is a powerful verse to learn first, because it is also recited daily in remembrance.
Wake with praise
On waking, the recorded practice is to begin with the praise of Allah for restoring life. The full morning adhkar — including the duas in the Dua Library — build from this single first word. A night that ends and begins with Allah is the whole shape of Islamic daily practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay if I fall asleep before finishing all the adhkar?
Yes — recite what you can with sincerity, as you are able. The teaching is gentle: consistent small deeds are beloved, and sleep itself is reciting to yourself without haste.
Can children learn these duas?
Yes — they are short, rhythmic and protective, and many families teach them alongside brushing teeth and pyjamas, as a nightly habit.
Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim (die and live / wake with praise)
- Sahih al-Bukhari (Ayat al-Kursi before sleep; cupping-and-reciting practice for al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas)
Last content review: 2026-09-25. How Destiny Map selects and verifies sources is explained on the Sources & Methodology page.
Report a correction— help us keep Destiny Map accurate
Found an incorrect reference, an imprecise translation, a typo, a broken link or a calendar error on this page? Corrections to religious content are our highest priority. Tell us what is wrong and, if you have it, the correct source — we review every report.
For a personal religious ruling, please consult a qualified scholar in your locality instead of emailing — we cannot issue fatwas.
Open an email with this page prefilled