Before Sleeping — Zikr & Recitations
1. Recite Ayat al-Kursi — (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)
Hadith:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, Allah will protect him and no devil will approach him until morning.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
2. Last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285–286)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
3. Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas (3 Quls)
The Prophet ﷺ would recite them, blow into his hands, and wipe over his body three times before sleeping.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 5017; Muslim, 2192)
4. Tasbih Fatimah (recommended for all Muslims)
Before sleeping, the Prophet ﷺ advised Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) to say:
SubhanAllah – 33 times
Alhamdulillah – 33 times
Allahu Akbar – 34 times
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5362, Sahih Muslim 2727)
5. Recite Surah As-Sajdah (32) and Surah Al-Mulk (67)
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite these two surahs before sleeping.
(Tirmidhi 2892; Nasa’i 10479 – Hasan)
Surah Al-Mulk especially is a protection from the punishment of the grave.
7. Supplication before sleeping
“Bismika Allahumma ahya wa bismika amut”
(In Your name, O Allah, I live and in Your name I die.)
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6314)
8. Other optional adhkar
Recite Surah Al-Kafirun (109) – it is protection from shirk.
(Abu Dawood 5055)
Recite “Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi” 100 times (general zikr of forgiveness).
Recite du’a for forgiveness:
“Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh.”
Example Routine (5 minutes Sunnah bedtime zikr)
Make wudu (Prophet ﷺ encouraged sleeping with wudu — Bukhari 247).
Lie on your right side, facing Qiblah.
Recite in this order:
Surah Al-Kafirun (109)
Ayat al-Kursi
Last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas
Tasbih Fatimah (33–33–34)
Du’a: “Bismika Allahumma ahya wa bismika amut.”
