SUPPLICATIONS BEFORE SLEEP
Different hadith reports describe different readings before sleep. Bukhari 2311 records the Ayat al-Kursi protection report; Bukhari 5009/5040 says the last two verses of Al-Baqarah are 'sufficient' when recited at night; Bukhari 5017 records reciting Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas before sleep, blowing into the hands, and wiping them over the body; and Tirmidhi 3404/2892 reports reciting Al-Mulk and As-Sajdah before sleep. None of these readings is obligatory, and they should not be presented as formulas guaranteeing a specific worldly outcome.
Designed to help build a calm reading routine before sleep.
Duas and Verses
Ayat al-Kursi
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ
God — there is no god except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence...
A report in Bukhari describes reciting it before sleep as a source of protection.
Amana ar-Rasulu (The Last Two Verses of Al-Baqarah)
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in God, His angels, His books, and His messengers...
Sahih al-Bukhari 5009/5040 says that the last two verses of Al-Baqarah are 'sufficient' for the person who recites them at night; no guarantee beyond the report's own wording should be added.
Surah Al-Ikhlas
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Say: He is God, the One...
One of the three short surahs (with Al-Falaq and An-Nas) frequently mentioned in reports about nightly reading.
Surah Al-Falaq
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak...
A report in Bukhari describes the Prophet (peace be upon him) blowing into his cupped hands and wiping them over his body before sleep.
Surah An-Nas
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of humankind...
Known together with Al-Falaq as "Al-Mu'awwidhatayn" — carries the theme of seeking refuge from whispering and external harm.
Surah Al-Mulk
تَبَٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ
Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent...
Tirmidhi 3404/2892 reports that the Prophet recited Al-Mulk and As-Sajdah before sleep. Tirmidhi 2891 and Abu Dawud 1400 are separate reports about the thirty-verse Surah Al-Mulk interceding until forgiveness; they should not be expanded into a guaranteed-protection claim about punishment in the grave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reading these supplications guarantee sleep?
No, this is not a sleep aid or a guaranteed method. These readings are designed for those who want to build a calm spiritual routine before getting into bed.
Is it obligatory to read all of them every night?
No. This is not an obligation but a habit recommended in hadith; occasionally skipping it carries no religious consequence. A good approach for beginners is to start with the short surahs and expand gradually.
Sources
- Tanzil Project — Uthmani Mushaf
- QuranEnc — English Translation
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2311 — report on reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5009/5040 — the last two verses of Al-Baqarah
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5017 — reciting Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas before sleep
- Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3404/2892 — report on reciting Surahs Al-Mulk and As-Sajdah before sleep
- Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2891; Sunan Abi Dawud 1400 — report on Surah Al-Mulk's intercession