- Authors
- Name
- Ahmad
- Role
- Senior Marketing Manager, Islamic education • DeenUp
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Most Muslims know they should make dhikr before sleep — but many recite a handful of familiar phrases without knowing where they come from or why the Prophet ﷺ chose them specifically. The أذكار الليل (adhkar al-layl) are not a random collection. They are a carefully observed prophetic practice recorded across the most authentic hadith collections, designed to protect, center, and connect you to Allah as the day ends.
This guide gathers every major night azkar with its source, Arabic text, and the practical guidance you need to begin tonight.
What are the night azkar?
The night azkar are the prophetic supplications and remembrances recited after Isha prayer and before sleep. They include Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), the three Quls (Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas), a tasbeeh of 33 Subhan Allah, 33 Alhamdulillah, and 34 Allahu Akbar, the bedtime dua Bismika Allahumma, and the recitation of Surah Al-Mulk. Together, these form a complete nightly practice that takes five to ten minutes and carries significant reward and protection.
Night Azkar at a Glance
| Dhikr | Count | Source | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayatul Kursi | Once | Sahih al-Bukhari 5010 | Protection from Shaytan until morning |
| Surah Al-Mulk | Once | Tirmidhi 2891 | Intercession on the Day of Judgment |
| Three Quls | 3× each | Sahih al-Bukhari 5017 | Comprehensive protection blown over body |
| Pre-sleep Tasbeeh | 33+33+34 | Sahih al-Bukhari 6313 | Better than a servant for strength and ease |
| Bismika Allahumma | Once | Sahih al-Bukhari 6312 | Entrusting oneself to Allah at sleep |
| Surah Al-Kafirun | Once | Abu Dawud 5055 | Freeing oneself from shirk |
Ayatul Kursi: The Verse That Appoints a Guardian
Reciting Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) is the single most important night azkar. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said whoever recites it when going to bed, "a guardian from Allah will remain with him and Shaytan will not approach him until morning" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5010).
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ
"Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep." — (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
The verse contains the greatest truth in the Quran: the absolute living sovereignty of Allah. Meditating on its meaning before sleep shifts your heart from the noise of the day to the awareness of who governs the night.
The Three Quls: Blown Over Your Body for Protection
The Prophet ﷺ had a consistent nightly practice: he would recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas three times each, blow into his cupped hands, and then wipe them over his face and as much of his body as he could reach (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017). His wife Aisha narrated this practice in detail.
These three surahs together cover the full spectrum of protection — from disbelief and polytheism (Al-Ikhlas affirms divine oneness), from created harms (Al-Falaq), and from whispered evil (An-Nas). Reciting them is not superstition; it is an act of tawakkul, trusting Allah as the sole protector.
If you are already reciting them before sleep, check your count and technique against the hadith. Many Muslims recite them once when the Sunnah is to recite each three times with the hand-wiping gesture.
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The Pre-Sleep Tasbeeh: Better Than a Servant
Ali ibn Abi Talib narrated that Fatimah came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for a servant to help with the hard work of the home. He told her instead to recite 33 Subhan Allah, 33 Alhamdulillah, and 34 Allahu Akbar before sleep — "that is better for you than a servant" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6313).
The scholars explain this as a reminder that reliance on Allah in His glorification (tasbih), praise (tahmid), and greatness (takbir) provides spiritual strength that no worldly resource can match. This tasbeeh is counted on the fingers, as the Prophet ﷺ said your fingers will testify for you (Abu Dawud 1501).
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ (×33) — Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah)
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (×33) — Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah)
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (×34) — Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
Bismika Allahumma: Entrusting Yourself to Allah
Before the eyes close completely, the Prophet ﷺ taught:
بِسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live." — (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312)
Sleep is described in the Quran as a "minor death" (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:42) — the soul is taken and returned each night by Allah's permission. This dua acknowledges that reality. You are not merely resting; you are entrusting your life to Allah until He returns it to you in the morning.
When you wake, the morning response completes the pair:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
"All praise is for Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection." — (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312)
Surah Al-Mulk: The Surah That Intercedes
The Prophet ﷺ said about Surah Al-Mulk: "There is a surah in the Quran of thirty verses which interceded for a man until he was forgiven" (Tirmidhi 2891). Ibn Mas'ud narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited both Surah As-Sajdah (32) and Surah Al-Mulk (67) (Tirmidhi 3404).
Surah Al-Mulk takes approximately three to four minutes to recite. Its themes — the absolute dominion of Allah, the creation of death and life as a test, the signs in creation — are a perfect closing meditation for the night. Many Muslims memorize it specifically for this purpose; if you haven't yet, the morning adhkar practice described on our blog can serve as a model for building memorization habits alongside your recitation.
Making the Night Azkar a Consistent Habit
The benefit of the night azkar comes from muraqabah — attentive, present recitation — not rushed repetition. A few practical approaches that work:
- Anchor to Isha: Begin your night azkar immediately after completing the Isha prayer and its Sunnah rakahs. This removes the "I'll do it before bed" delay that leads to forgetting.
- Use a count on your fingers: The Prophet's companions counted on their right-hand fingers. This keeps you present without relying on a device.
- Read before you memorize: If you don't know the Arabic text yet, recite from a reliable source while you memorize. The evening azkar routine and adhkar before sleeping on this blog offer additional context on what to recite and when.
- Learn the meanings first: The dhikr lands differently when you understand each phrase. Spend a few minutes reading the meaning of Ayatul Kursi before adding it to your routine.
The importance of dhikr in Islam is not about quantity alone — the Prophet ﷺ praised consistent small deeds over irregular large ones. Five minutes every night, done sincerely, outweighs an hour once a week.
The Related Dua for Forgiveness and Protection
One additional supplication from the Sunnah fits naturally into the night azkar:
اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
"O Allah, I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, and take refuge in You with hope and fear of You. There is no refuge or escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed and in Your Prophet whom You sent." — (Sahih al-Bukhari 247)
The Prophet ﷺ told his companions that if they die after reciting this, they die upon the fitrah — the natural state of pure faith.
Building Your Complete Night Routine
The full night azkar sequence — in order:
- After Isha: recite Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
- After Isha: recite the three Quls three times each, blow into hands, wipe over body
- In bed: complete the tasbeeh (33+33+34) on your fingers
- Settling to sleep: recite Bismika Allahumma (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312)
- Optional additions: the full dua above, Surah Al-Mulk, Surah Al-Kafirun
For those building the habit from scratch, the daily adhkar guide on this blog offers a complete overview of both morning and evening practices. Connecting them creates a rhythm of remembrance that frames your entire day in Allah's awareness.
The night azkar are one of the most accessible Islamic practices — no special knowledge, no equipment, no particular time beyond the natural closing of your day. They are a prophetic gift: a few minutes of authentic, traceable remembrance that link you to every Muslim across fourteen centuries who closed their eyes the same way.
Start tonight. Recite Ayatul Kursi. Add the three Quls tomorrow. Build from there.
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Take the Dua QuizFrequently Asked Questions
What are the night azkar in Islam?
The night azkar (adhkar al-layl) are a collection of authentic prophetic supplications and remembrances recited after Isha prayer and before sleep. They include Ayatul Kursi, the three Quls (Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas), a tasbeeh of 33+33+34, and Bismika Allahumma. The Prophet recited these consistently each night.
When should I recite the night azkar?
The night azkar are recited after the Isha prayer and before falling asleep. Scholars recommend completing them within your bedtime routine — lying in your bed, on your right side, facing the qiblah. The pre-sleep duas specifically are recited at the moment you settle to sleep, not hours before.
Is there a dua for protection before sleeping?
The primary protection dua before sleeping is Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255). The Prophet told his companion that reciting it before sleep ensures a guardian from Allah and that Shaytan cannot approach him until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 5010). The three Quls — blown into cupped hands and wiped over the body — also provide nightly protection.
How many times should I recite the night azkar?
Most night azkar are recited once. The exceptions are the three Quls, which are recited three times each and blown into cupped hands that are then wiped over the body (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017). The pre-sleep tasbeeh follows a count of 33 Subhan Allah, 33 Alhamdulillah, and 34 Allahu Akbar (Sahih al-Bukhari 6313).
What is the difference between night azkar and morning azkar?
The morning azkar (adhkar al-sabah) are recited after Fajr prayer as the day begins, asking for blessings and protection through the waking hours. The night azkar (adhkar al-layl) are recited after Isha and before sleep, focusing on protection, forgiveness, and entrusting oneself to Allah. Both sets come from authenticated hadith.
Can I recite night azkar in English?
The night azkar may be recited in your native language if you do not yet know the Arabic, though scholars encourage learning the Arabic originals over time. The spiritual benefit is in the meaning and sincere intention. As you memorize the Arabic phrases, your recitation gains the additional resonance of the Prophetic words in their original form.
What if I fall asleep before finishing the night azkar?
If you fall asleep while reciting the night azkar, your recitation up to that point is accepted and you bear no sin. The Prophet encouraged making dhikr until sleep overcomes you. If you wake in the night, you may resume or simply recite a short dua upon waking. Consistency and intention matter more than strict completion every single night.