12 Dua for Sleeping In Arabic, Transliteration And Meaning In English

There are so many sound dua for sleeping and Duas that you can say before sleeping that were narrated in the Prophet’s Sunnah. 

Sleeping is an essential part of our daily routine and plays a crucial role in maintaining our physical and mental well-being. However, for some individuals, falling asleep can be a challenge.

This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as stress, anxiety, or even physical discomfort. As Muslims, we believe in the power of Dua and its ability to bring peace and comfort to our lives.

In this blog, we will explore the importance of Dua for sleeping and provide you with some Duas to help you have a peaceful and restful sleep.

1. Dua for Sleeping

Blowing into the cupped palms and reciting the three mu‘awwidhat [surahs seeking refuge with Allah, the last three surahs of the Quran]:

Surah Al-Ikhlas

• قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (١)
• اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ (٢)
• لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ (٣)
• وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (٤)

Transliteration

• 1. Qul Huwallaahu ‘Ahad.
• 2. Allaahus-Samad.
• 3. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad.
• 4. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ‘ahad.

Meaning

• 1. Say: He is Allah (the) One. 
• 2. The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, 
• 3. He begets not nor was He begotten, 
• 4. and there is none equal to Him.

Surah Al-Falaq

• قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (١)
• مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (٢)
• وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ (٣)
• وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ (٤)
• وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ (٥)

Transliteration

• 1. Qul ‘a’oothu birabbil-falaq. 
• 2. Min sharri maa khalaq. 
• 3. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin ‘ithaa waqab.
• 4. Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-‘uqad. 
• 5. Wa min sharri haasidin ‘ithaa hasad.

Meaning

• 1. Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of the daybreak, 
• 2. from the evil of what He has created, 
• 3. and from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness, 
• 4. and from the evil of those who practice
• witchcraft when they blow in the knots, 
• 5. and from the evil of the envier when he envies.

Surah An-Nas

• قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ (١)
• مَلِكِ النَّاسِ (٢)
• إِلَهِ النَّاسِ (٣)
• مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ (٤)
• الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ (٥)
• مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ (٦)

Transliteration

• 1. Qul ‘a’oothu birabbin-naas
• 2. Malikin-naas
• 3. ‘Ilaahin-naas
• 4. Min sharril-waswaasil-khannaas.
• 5. Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas. 
• 6. Minal-jinnati wannaas.

Meaning

• 1. Say: I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind,
• 2. the King of mankind,
• 3. the God of mankind,
• 4. from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws,
• 5. who whispers in the breasts of mankind,
• 6. of jinns and men

Benefits

Recite these surahs in Arabic and pass your hands over as much of your body as you can reach, beginning with the head and the face, then the entire front of your body. Do this three times.

The word translated here as blow refers to spitting lightly and drily. Narrated by al-Bukhari (5017).

2. Dua For Sleep

Reciting Ayat al-Kursiy

اللّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاء وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَؤُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Transliteration

Allaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta’khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-‘ardh, man thai-lathee yashfa’u ‘indahu ‘illaa bi’ithnih, ya’lamu maa bayna ‘aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay’im-min ‘ilmihi ‘illaa bimaa shaa’a, wasi’a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal’ardh, wa laa ya’ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa Huwal- ‘Aliyyul- ‘Adheem.

Meaning

Allah! There is none worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.

Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills.

His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Benefits

Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morning. Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari (2311).

3. Dua For Going To Sleep

Reciting the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah.

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ (٢٨٥)

لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ (٢٨٦)

Transliteration

Aamanar-Rasoolu bimaa ‘unzila mir-Rabbihi walmu’minoon, kullun ‘aamana billaahi wa malaa’ikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi, laa nufarriqu bayna ‘ahadim-mir-Rusulihi, wa qaaloo sami’naa wa ‘ata’naa ghufraanaka Rabbanaa wa ‘ilaykal-maseer.

Laa yukallifullaahu nafsan ‘illaa wus’ahaa, lahaa maa kasabat wa ‘alayhaa mak-tasabat, Rabbanaa laa tu’aakhithnaa ‘in naseenaa ‘aw ‘akhta’naa, Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil ‘alaynaa ‘isran kamaa hamaltahu ‘alal-latheena min qablinaa, Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bihi, wa’fu ‘annaa, waghfir lanaa warhamnaa, ‘Anta Mawlaanaa fansurnaa ‘alal-qawmil-kaafireen.

Meaning

The Messenger believes in what has been send down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say: “We make no distinction between any of His Messengers,” and they say: “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return.”

287. Allah burdens not a person beyond what he can bear. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error.

Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector, and help us against the disbelieving people.

Benefits

“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah every night, they will suffice him.” Narrated by al-Bukhari (5009) and Muslim (808).

The scholars differed as to what is meant by “they will suffice him.”

It was said that it means they will protect him from harm during the night; or they will take the place of praying qiyam on that night. It may be that both are meant.

4. Duaa For Going To Sleep in Arabic

بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، فَإِن أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

Transliteration

Bismika Rabbee wadha’tu janbee , wa bika ‘arfa’uhu, fa’in ‘amsakta nafsee farhamhaa, wa ‘in ‘arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa, bimaa tahfadhu bihi ‘ibaadakas-saaliheen.

Meaning

With Your Name my Lord, I lay myself down; and with Your Name I rise . And if my soul You take, have mercy on it, and if You send it back then protect it as You protect Your righteous slaves.

Benefits

If any of you rises from his bed and later returns to it, let him dust off his bed with his waist garment three times and mention the Name of Allah, for he does not know what may have entered the bed after him, and when he lies down he should say this Dua. . . “.  Narrated by al-Bukhari (6320) and Muslim (2714).

5. Dua Before Sleeping

اللَّهُمَّ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ

Transliteration

Allahumma khalaqta nafsi wa anta tawaffaha, laka mamatuha wa mahyaya. In ahyaytaha fahfazha wa in amattaha faghfir laha. Allahumma inni asaluka al-‘afiyah

Meaning

O Allah, You have created my soul and it is for You to take it in death. Its death and its life are in Your hand. If You cause it to live then protect it and if You cause it to die then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You to keep me safe and sound.

Benefits

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar narrated that he instructed a man, when he went to his bed, to say this Dua.

A man said to him: Did you hear that from ‘Umar? He said: From one who is better than ‘Umar, from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Narrated By Muslim (2712).

6. Dua Before Sleep

اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ

Transliteration

Allaahumma qinee ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadaka.

Meaning

O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day that You resurrect Your slaves.

Benefits

Recite three times in Arabic. When the Prophet (SAW) wanted to lie down to sleep, he used to place his right hand under his cheek and say this Dua. Narrated by Abu Dawud (5045); classed as sahih by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (11/119).

7. Dua

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Transliteration

Bismika Allaahumma ‘amootu wa ‘ahyaa.

Meaning

In Your Name, O Allah, I die and I live.

Benefits

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) wanted to sleep, he would say this Dua… Narrated by al-Bukhari (6324).

8. Dua

• سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ (33) 
• وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (33) 
• وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (34)

• Subhaanallaahi (33)
• Walhamdu lillaahi (33)
• Wallaahu ‘Akbar (34)

Meaning

• Glory is to Allah (33)
• praise is to Allah (33)
• Allah is the Most Great (34)

Benefits

It was narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib that Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) went to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and asked him for a servant. He said:

“Shall I not tell you of something that is better for you than that? When you go to sleep, glorify Allah (by saying Subhan Allah) thirty-three times, praise Allah (by saying Al-hamdu Lillah) thirty-three times, and magnify Him (by saying Allahu akbar) thirty-four times.”

And I have never abandoned [that practice] since then. It was said: Not even on the night of Siffin? He said: Not even on the night of Siffin.

Narrated by al-Bukhari (5362) and Muslim (2727).

9. Dua

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الأَرْضِ، وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى، وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ، وَالْفُرْقَانِ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ. اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَيْءٌ، اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ

Transliteration

Allahumma Rabb as-samawati wa Rabb al-ard wa Rabb al-‘arsh il-‘azim, Rabbana wa Rabba kulli shayin, Faliq al-habb wa’l-nawa wa munzil at-Tawrati wa’l-Injili wa’l-Furqan, a‘udhu bika min sharri kulli shayin anta akhidhun bi nasiyatihi.

Allahumma anta al-awwalu fa laysa qablaka shayun, wa anta al-akhiru fa laysa ba’daka shayun, wa anta az-zahiru fa laysa fawqaka shayun wa anta al-batin fa laysa dunaka shayun. Iqdi ‘anna al-dayna wa aghnina min al-faqri.

Meaning

O Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth and Lord of the mighty Throne, our Lord and Lord of all things, Splitter of the seed and the date stone, Revealer of the Tawrat (Torah), the Injil (Gospel) and the Furqan (Quran), I seek refuge in You from the evil of every creature that You seize by the forelock [i.e., have full control over them].

O Allah, You are the First and there is nothing before You; You are the Last and there is nothing after You. You are the Manifest (al-Zahir) and there is nothing above You; You are the Hidden (al-Batin) and there is nothing beyond You. Settle our debt and spare us from poverty. Narrated by Muslim (2713)

10. Dua

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا، وَكَفَانَا، وَآوَانَا، فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لاَ كَافِيَ لَهُ وَلاَ مُؤْوِيَ

Transliteration

Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ‘at’amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa, wa ‘aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’wiya.

Meaning

Praise is to Allah Who has provided us with food and with drink , sufficed us and gave us an abode for how many are there with no provision and no home.

Reference: Narrated by Muslim (2715)

11. Dua

اللَّهُمَّ عَالِمَ الغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطانِ وَشِرْكِهِ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى  نَفْسِي سُوءاً، أَوْ أَجُرَّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍ

Transliteration

Allaahumma ‘Aalimal-ghaybi wash-shahaadati faatiras-samaawaati wal’ardhi, Rabba kulli shay ‘in wa maleekahu, ‘ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta, ‘a’oothu bika min sharri nafsee, wa min sharrish-shaytaani wa shirkihi, wa ‘an ‘aqtarifa ‘alaa nafsee soo ‘an, ‘aw ‘ajurrahu ‘ilaa Muslimin.

Meaning

O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the evident , Maker of the heavens and the earth , Lord of everything and its Master, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You . I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his helpers . (I seek refuge in You) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.

Reference: Abu Dawud 4/317.

12. Dua

اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لاَ مَلْجَأَ وَلاَ مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلاَّ إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ

Transliteration

Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa aljatu zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Amantu bi kitabik alladhi anzalt, wa bi nabiyyik alladhi arsalt

Meaning

O Allah, I submit myself to You, I turn my face to You, I delegate my affairs to You and I rely totally on You, out of fear and hope of You. There is no refuge or sanctuary from You except in You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent.

Benefits

Before you go to bed perform ablutions as you would for prayer, then lie down on your right side and say this Dua. . . ”

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever says this and dies in his sleep, has died in a state of the natural monotheism (Fitrah), so make these the last words you speak” Narrated by al-Bukhari (6311) and Muslim (2710).

Conclusion

There are so many sound dua for sleeping that were narrated in the Prophet’s Sunnah that Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“You should understand that the hadiths and reports concerning this matter are many; what we have mentioned is sufficient for the one who is enabled to act upon them.

We refrain from quoting more for fear of tiring the student. Moreover, it is better for a person to do all that is mentioned concerning that, but if that is not possible, he should stick to what he is able to do of the most important thereof.” (Al-Adhkar, p.95)