What is the benefit of reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep?

Dua for Protection Before Sleep – Authentic Bedtime Adhkar

The Sunnah contains several supplications and Quranic recitations to be performed before going to sleep. These acts of remembrance provide spiritual security and a peaceful state of mind, as sleep is considered a 'lesser death' in Islam.

اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Transliteration

Allahumma bismika amūtu wa aḥyā.

Translation

O Allah, in Your name I die and I live.

Source

Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim — Authentic sleep adhkar

Authenticity: Authentic

Meaning and Explanation

This supplication expresses a believer's complete surrender and dependence upon Allah during the state of sleep (temporary death) and upon awakening (life).

When to Recite

Recite it when lying down in bed, ready to sleep.

How to Recite

It is Sunnah to perform Wudu, lie on the right side, and recite the established bedtime adhkar (remembrances) with focus and trust in Allah.

Important Notes

This wording is authentically reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. Bedtime protection also includes reciting the last three surahs of the Quran (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas), blowing into the palms, and wiping the body.

Benefits

It aligns the heart with Tawhid (monotheism) at the end of the day. According to authentic reports, other recitations like Ayat al-Kursi protect the reciter from Shaytan until the morning.

Additional Duas

آية الكرسي (اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ...)

Ayat al-Kursi (Allāhu lā ilāha illā Huwal-Ḥayyul-Qayyūm...)

Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence...

بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ

Bismika Rabbī waḍa'tu janbī wa bika arfa'uh

In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side and by You I raise it.

Source

Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari — Sahih al-Bukhari 6324

Authenticity: Sahih (Authentic)

Hadith regarding the specific invocation 'Bismika amutu wa ahya'.

Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari — Sahih al-Bukhari 2311

Authenticity: Sahih (Authentic)

Hadith about the virtue of Ayat al-Kursi for protection during sleep.

Content type: Hadith

Tags: dua sleep bedtime protection adhkar

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep ensures that a protector from Allah remains with you, and Shaytan cannot approach you until the morning.