What to recite before sleeping: Islamic Bedtime remembrance
The time of going to bed is an indispensable part of our lives as Muslims.
According to Islam religion we should remember Allah before sleeping, imitate our loving Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through his Sunnah, also some verses of holy Quran, specifically chosen Surahs and some specific Dhikr before sleep so that the last part of our day should be with the remembrance of Allah.
The Sunnah which is for Muslims which they should recite before going to sleep which mainly consists few portions of Quran namely three short Surahs of the Quran namely Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, Ayatul Kursi last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah along with some specific Dhikr.
Recitation of the three Short Surahs Before Sleep
On the authority of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) when going to sleep every night would cup his hands together, recite:
- Qul Huwallahu Ahad - Surah Al-Ikhlas (112)
- Qul A'udhu bi Rabbil-Falaq - Surah Al-Falaq (113)
- Qul A'udhu bi Rabbin-Nas - Surah An-Nas (114)
He would then blow into his hands and rub his body with them as much as was in reach, beginning from his head and face, the front of his body, and repeat this three times.
This sublime Sunnah reminds us of remembering Allah and of seeking His refuge through words of the Holy Quran before sleep.
Reference : Sahih al- Bukhari: Chapter 66 - Virtues of the Quran
Reciting Ayatul Kursi Before Sleep
The Ayatul Kursi, the verse 255 of the Surah Baqarah is another significant Surah to recite before going to sleep.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
2:255
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ
لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ
مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ
وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ
وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا
وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ
الْعَظِيمُ
Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa huwal haiyul qai-yoom; laa taakhuzuhoo sinatunw wa laa nawm; lahoo maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man zallazee yashfa'u indahooo illaa be iznih; ya'lamu maa baina aideehim wa maa khalfahum; wa laa yuheetoona beshai 'immin 'ilmihee illa be maa shaaaa; wasi'a kursiyyuhus samaa waati wal arda wa la ya'ooduho hifzuhumaa; wa huwal aliyyul 'azeem.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had said to me: "If you go to your bed reciting the verse of the Chair, it will be with you. None of Satan's helpers will remain near until morning."
Recitation of this noble Ayah before sleeping provides us with solace as well as the guidance from Allah as to what our hearts must bear in mind while sleep overcomes our souls, for example: It has indeed been revealed with signs: that the appointed term will surely expire; it is neither to be anticipated nor delayed beyond it; it is He Who giveth life, and Who taketh it, and He Who giveth life and taketh it also giveth it again, He is all-powerful: for what is in the heavens and on the earth; there is none that can intercede with Him but by His permission.
The Ayah reminds the Muslims of Allah’s power, greatness, knowledge and complete authority over whatever in the heavens and earth and the futurer, and He does not sleep and never falls into slumber.
Thus it is the paramount reminder to seek his protection and solace before sleeping as the purpose of the worldly affairs to remind the Muslims that they are dependent on Allah.
Reference : Sahih al- Bukhari: Chapter 59 - The beginning of Creation
The last two verses of Surah Baqarah
The last two verses of Surah Baqarah too fall amongst the verses that Muslims are supposed to recite during the night before sleeping.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stated in regards to the last two verses of Surah Baqarah that whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, the two verses alone will suffice for him.
These verses include faith and the acceptance of Tawheed, seeking help from Allah, supplication and trust in Allah the Almighty as the follower recites with sincere belief that the Divine Being He believes in does not have equals nor He has partners as the Allah in particular does not have any relation, connection or is being participated in by anyone, He is One of a kind and His glory is immeasurable from all of His servants, thus, reminding oneself and Allah's might before sleep serves to strengthen the reliance and dependence upon Allah.
Reference : Sahih al- Bukhari: Chapter 64 – Battles of the Prophet
Remembrance of Allah before sleep.
Along with remembering Allah through the Divine verses, remembrance can also be done in terms of few word based supplications.
Narrated by Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): That when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would rise to bed, he would recite:
- Allahu Akbar, Allah is the Greatest [34 times]
- Alhamdulillah, All praise is due to Allah [33 times]
- Subhanallah, Glory be to Allah [33 times]
The phrase means a prayer and establishment/acceptance of the glory and sublimity of the Omnipotent.
It brings forth consciousness that we are mere servants and we are always dependent on the Lord of both the worlds. Thus, this Dhikr is one of the key Sunnahs that a Muslim must abide by.
Reference : Sahih al- Bukhari: Chapter 57
Let Quran and Dhikr become your Bedtime Routine.
A healthy bedtime routine would include the recitation of The Holy Quran and remembering Allah with one's heart and mind. The Muslims need to strive on practicing to recite the three short Surahs, Ayatul Kursi as well as last two verses of Surah Baqarah along with completing with few dhikr before he goes to sleep.
This is not just about adhering to sleep timings but to end the day remembering Allah the Lord and remembering those words with grateful hearts, that serve to awaken the sleeping soul and bring it back to its origin, that is Allah. Even on busy and demanding days, a Muslim could just take few minutes off from his day for the sake of remembering Allah to get solace and contentment.
Simple Bedtime Checklist
Before sleep the Muslims could remember to do the below mentioned Sunnah.
1. Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Nas, and continue it with blowing into the palms of the hands and rubbing on one's entire body that one may reach by his hands, starting with head and face.
2. Reciting of Ayatul Kursi.
3. Recite the last two verses of Surah Baqarah.
4. Say 'Allahu Akbar 34 times', 'Alhamdulillah 33 times', 'Subhanallah 33 times'.
5. Sleep with remembrance and placing one's hope only in Almighty Allah.
Final Words.
Remembrance of Allah before bedtime is an important opportunity for Muslims. By making these Sunnah the part of your nightly routine, Muslims could achieve to end up every day with the words of Holy Quran, remembrance of Allah and also utter gratitude with total reliance on His Almighty.
May Allah help Muslims in always following the great practices and help them to remember Him all the time of their life, as well as making the night peaceful.
This is only for Islamic knowledge informations not for hurting others