Sleep adhkar in order: what to recite at bedtime, step by step

In Hisn al-Muslim the bedtime adhkar are ordered chapters, not an open list: dusting the bed, then recitation, then the tasbih, then the supplications said while lying down, then the posture of sleep, then what is said if you stir at night or see something disturbing, and finally the supplication on waking. This page follows that same order, each remembrance in its own chapter, with its authentic wording, reference and grading, adding no count that was never transmitted and moving nothing out of place.

The order at a glance

First: dusting the bed before lying down

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "When one of you goes to his bed, let him dust it off with the inside of his lower garment, for he does not know what may have come upon it, then let him say: In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side..." (Sahih Muslim 2714, with its basis in Sahih al-Bukhari 6320).

This is the first of the sleep chapters in Hisn al-Muslim, and its place is before the recitation, not after it.

Second: recitation in bed

al-Ikhlas and the two refuge surahs, three times, with wiping

When the Prophet went to bed he would cup his hands, blow into them and recite ﴿قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ﴾, ﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ﴾ and ﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ﴾, then wipe his head, face and the front of his body, doing that three times (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).

Surah al-Ikhlas is recited in full with them, and the blowing is a light breath without saliva.

Ayat al-Kursi

Abu Hurayrah reported the Prophet saying: "When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, for no devil will come near you until morning" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311).

The closing verses of al-Baqarah

An-Numan ibn Bashir reported the Prophet saying: "Allah wrote a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and sent down from it two verses with which He sealed Surah al-Baqarah. They are not recited in a house for three nights without a devil staying away from it" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2882, graded hasan gharib by at-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albani). The remaining household adhkar are in their own place in protecting the home with adhkar.

as-Sajdah and al-Mulk

The Prophet would not sleep before reciting Surah as-Sajdah and Surah al-Mulk (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2892, graded hasan). This is a recommended practice, not a condition for the rest of the adhkar.

Third: the tasbih before sleep

The Prophet taught Fatimah and Ali to recite tasbih before sleeping and said: "It is better for you than a servant" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3113, Sahih Muslim 2727).

These are the counts transmitted for this chapter; nothing is added to them and they are not mixed with the counts said after the prayer.

Fourth: the supplications said while lying down

Let these be your last words

Reported by al-Bukhari (6313) and Muslim (2710), with the wording: "If you die, you die upon the natural faith", and the Prophet instructed that these be the last words a person speaks.

The shortest wording

Reported by al-Bukhari (6324) in the chapter on what is said when taking to one's bed.

Three times, with the right hand under the cheek

Reported by Abu Dawud (5045) from Hafsah, and by at-Tirmidhi (3398) from Hudhayfah, who graded it hasan sahih.

Gratitude at bedtime

Reported by Muslim (2715).

Fifth: the posture of sleep

The Prophet said: "When you go to your bed, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6313). The ablution here is recommended, not required, and sleeping on the right side is an established Sunnah.

Sixth: if you stir during the night

From Aishah, on what the Prophet said when he woke during the night, reported by an-Nasai in Amal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah (864) and by al-Hakim, who authenticated it.

Seventh: if you are startled or see something disturbing

Reported by at-Tirmidhi (3528) and Abu Dawud (3893) for moments of fright, graded hasan by scholars.

Whoever sees a disturbing dream should spit lightly to his left three times, seek refuge in Allah from Satan and from its evil, tell no one about it, and turn onto his other side (Sahih Muslim 2262). This belongs here, not among the adhkar recited in bed.

Eighth: the supplication on waking

Reported by al-Bukhari (6312). The start of the day has its own remembrances, listed with their transmitted counts on the adhkar page.

What is not established in this chapter

Tools that help you

• The Quran with recitation to read and hear the refuge surahs, Ayat al-Kursi and the closing verses of al-Baqarah.
• Adhkar for morning and evening remembrance with the transmitted counts.
• Protecting the home with adhkar for what is said in the house, on entering and on leaving.
• The complete ruqyah text for the wording and conditions of ruqyah.

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct order of the bedtime adhkar?

Dust the bed and say "In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side", then recite al-Ikhlas and the two refuge surahs three times with wiping, then Ayat al-Kursi, then the closing verses of al-Baqarah, then the tasbih 33, 33 and 34, then the supplications of lying down ending with "O Allah, I submit myself to You", then sleep on your right side.

Is ablution required before the bedtime adhkar?

It is not required. The instruction to perform ablution in the hadith of al-Bara ibn Azib is a recommendation, and whoever sleeps without it has still said the adhkar validly.

How many times are the refuge surahs recited before sleep?

Three times, blowing into the palms and wiping, as in Sahih al-Bukhari (5017), with Surah al-Ikhlas recited alongside them.

What is said if you wake up frightened at night?

Say: "I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His anger and His punishment...", and whoever sees a disturbing dream spits lightly to his left three times, seeks refuge in Allah, tells no one, and turns onto his other side.

Is Ayat al-Kursi alone enough?

On its own it carries great virtue and protection until morning, but the chapter is complete when you combine what was transmitted: the refuge surahs and al-Ikhlas, Ayat al-Kursi, the closing verses of al-Baqarah, the tasbih and the supplications.