The Dua Before Sleeping (Dua Al-Manaam)
The most well-known supplication before sleep comes from an authentic narration in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:
Arabic: ุจูุงุณูู ููู ุงููููููู ูู ุฃูู ููุชู ููุฃูุญูููุง
Transliteration: Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya
Translation: In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6324
Ayat al-Kursi Before Sleep
The Prophet (PBUH) informed us that whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255) before sleeping, Allah appoints a guardian angel to protect them until morning and Shaytan cannot come near them. This is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Abu Hurairah (RA).
Arabic: ุงูููููู ููุง ุฅููููฐูู ุฅููููุง ูููู ุงููุญูููู ุงููููููููู ู...
Note: This is the full verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah. It is recommended to memorise and recite it in full.
The Three Quls Before Sleep
Aishah (RA) narrated that every night before sleeping, the Prophet (PBUH) would cup his hands, blow into them, and recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Surah Al-Falaq (113), and Surah An-Nas (114). He would then wipe his hands over whatever he could reach of his body, starting from the head and face and then the front of his body. He would do this three times. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5017)
Sleeping on the Right Side
The Sunnah is to sleep on the right side. Al-Bara ibn Azib (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "When you go to your bed, perform wudu as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 247). Modern sleep science confirms that right-side sleeping benefits digestion and reduces acid reflux, and left-side sleeping is generally recommended for the pregnant. The right side is the baseline Sunnah position.
Perform wudu. Sweep dust from your bed three times. Recite Ayat al-Kursi. Recite the three Quls three times each while wiping hands over your body. Make the bedtime dua. Lie on your right side. This complete routine takes under 10 minutes and has immense spiritual value.
The Dua Upon Waking (Dua Al-Yaqazah)
Arabic: ุงููุญูู ูุฏู ููููููู ุงูููุฐูู ุฃูุญูููุงููุง ุจูุนูุฏู ู ูุง ุฃูู ูุงุชูููุง ููุฅููููููู ุงููููุดููุฑู
Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur
Translation: Praise be to Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6325
Tahajjud and Night Prayer
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1163). Tahajjud is prayed in the last third of the night, which means setting an alarm to wake 90 minutes to 2 hours before Fajr. This requires going to bed earlier. Many scholars recommend sleeping after Isha, waking for Tahajjud, then sleeping briefly again before Fajr if needed.
Not Sleeping Immediately After Fajr
The Prophet (PBUH) made dua for barakah in the early morning hours, and several hadiths indicate that sleeping after Fajr without a legitimate need was discouraged. Modern circadian science supports morning light exposure for regulating the circadian clock, which aligns with this guidance.
The Sleep After Dhuhr (Qaylulah)
Qaylulah refers to a brief midday rest or nap before Dhuhr prayer, or between Dhuhr and Asr. This aligns precisely with the post-lunch circadian dip documented in sleep science. A 20 minute nap at this time improves afternoon alertness, mood, and cognitive performance without disrupting night sleep.
- 1Perform wudu before sleeping as the Prophet (PBUH) instructed
- 2Sweep your bed three times before lying down (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- 3Recite Ayat al-Kursi for protection during sleep
- 4Recite the three Quls (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas) three times each
- 5Recite the bedtime dua: Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya
- 6Lie on your right side facing Qibla if possible
- 7Upon waking, recite the morning dua before anything else
- 8Consider setting an alarm for the last third of the night for Tahajjud