Sleep
Dua Before Sleeping
Quick Answer
In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live. UK Prayer Times provides the Arabic text, transliteration and meaning for this sleep dua (Sahih al-Bukhari 6324, narrated by Hudhayfah (RA)).
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The Prophet ﷺ taught his companions specific supplications to recite before sleeping. These duas seek Allah's protection through the night and ensure the believer's last act before sleep is the remembrance of Allah.
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Transliteration
Bismika-llāhumma amūtu wa aḥyā.
Translation
In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6324, narrated by Hudhayfah (RA)
When to recite
- The last words spoken before sleep.
- Recite also: Ayat al-Kursi (Surah al-Baqarah 2:255) — the Prophet ﷺ told Abu Hurayrah (RA) this would protect him until morning.
- Recite Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas three times each, then blow over your palms and wipe over your body.
Virtues & Benefits
- Sleep is described as a minor death in the Quran (39:42) — making dua before it is a recognition of Allah's power over life.
- Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep brings a guardian from Allah and Shaytan does not approach until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311).
- Reciting the three Quls three times and blowing over the palms, then wiping over the body, was the Prophet's ﷺ own nightly practice (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).