Sleep takes up nearly a third of every person’s life. In Islam, even these hours can become a source of reward. By following the Sunnah of sleeping, a believer goes to bed in a state of remembrance, protection and peace, and wakes up with gratitude to Allah.
Allah describes sleep as one of His signs and mercies:
“And We made your sleep a means of rest.”
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The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught a simple bedtime routine that takes only a few minutes. This article explains each step with authentic references so you can begin practising it tonight.
Do Not Delay Sleep Without Reason After Isha
The Sunnah encourages going to bed early enough to wake for Fajr. Abu Barzah reported that the Prophet ﷺ disliked sleeping before the Isha prayer and disliked unnecessary talk after it.
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Late nights spent on phones and idle conversation often make it hard to wake for Fajr prayer. Sleeping earlier also makes it easier to stand for Tahajjud in the last part of the night.
Perform Wudu and Lie on the Right Side
Going to bed in a state of purity is a beautiful Sunnah. Al-Bara ibn Azib reported that the Prophet ﷺ told him: when you go to your bed, perform wudu as you do for prayer, then lie down on your right side and say a supplication of complete trust in Allah.
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In this dua, the believer hands over his whole self to Allah, turns his face towards Him, entrusts his affairs to Him and declares his faith in the Book and the Prophet that Allah sent. The Prophet ﷺ told al-Bara that if he died that night, he would die upon the fitrah (natural faith), and he asked him to make these the last words he said before sleeping.
Recite Ayatul Kursi for Protection
Ayatul Kursi (Quran 2:255) is one of the greatest verses of the Qur’an. In a well-known narration, Abu Hurairah was told that whoever recites Ayatul Kursi when going to bed will have a guardian from Allah over him, and no devil will come near him until morning. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed that this advice was true.
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You can learn more about this verse in our article on the virtues and message of Ayatul Kursi.
Recite the Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.
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Scholars explain that “sufficient” includes protection from harm and a reward that covers the night. These two verses (2:285-286) also contain beautiful duas asking Allah for forgiveness and ease.
Blow Into the Hands With the Three Quls
Aisha reported that every night, when the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would bring his palms together, blow lightly into them and recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas. He would then wipe over as much of his body as he could, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, and he did this three times.
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Read more about these Surahs in the meaning and lessons of Surah Al-Ikhlas and the protection taught in Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas.
The Tasbih Taught to Fatimah
When Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, asked her father for a servant to help with her heavy household work, he taught her and Ali something he said was better than a servant. When going to bed, they should say Allahu Akbar 34 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and SubhanAllah 33 times.
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Scholars mention that holding on to this dhikr gives a person strength and relief from tiredness, just as Fatimah needed in her daily work.
The Dua Before Sleeping and After Waking
Hudhayfah reported that when the Prophet ﷺ lay down to sleep, he would say Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya (In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live). When he woke up, he would say Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur (All praise is for Allah, who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the return).
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These words remind us that sleep is a small death, and waking up is a fresh chance from Allah to do good and seek forgiveness.
A Simple Bedtime Checklist
- Pray Isha and avoid unnecessary late-night activity.
- Perform wudu before going to bed.
- Lie on your right side.
- Recite Ayatul Kursi and the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah.
- Blow into your hands with the three Quls and wipe over your body three times.
- Say SubhanAllah 33, Alhamdulillah 33 and Allahu Akbar 34 times.
- Make the dua of al-Bara or say Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.
- On waking, thank Allah with the morning dua.
Conclusion
The Sunnah of sleeping turns the end of each day into worship. Wudu, lying on the right side, Ayatul Kursi, the closing verses of Al-Baqarah, the three Quls, the tasbih of Fatimah and the bedtime duas together take only a few minutes. In return, the believer sleeps under Allah’s protection and, if death comes during the night, departs upon faith.
Start with one or two of these practices tonight and add more over time. Teaching them to children at bedtime is one of the best gifts a parent can give, as it fills their last waking moments with the remembrance of Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sunnah of Sleeping
Which side should a Muslim sleep on?
The Sunnah is to lie down on the right side when going to sleep, as taught in Sahih al-Bukhari 247.
Is wudu before sleeping obligatory?
No, it is a recommended Sunnah, not an obligation, but it carries great virtue.
What is the shortest bedtime dua?
Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya (In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live), reported in Sahih al-Bukhari 6312.
