بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّ وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ. إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ.
In Your name, my Lord, I have laid down my side, and in Your name I raise it. If You should take my soul, forgive it, and if You should return my soul, protect it with what You protect Your righteous servants.
Bismika Rabbi wada'tu janbi, wa bika arfa'uhu. In amsakta nafsi faghfir laha, wa in arsaltaha fahfadh-ha bima tahfathu bihi 'ibadakas-salihin.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited when you are about to lie down to sleep. It's part of the evening remembrance (Adhkar al- المساء) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to safeguard ourselves and seek Allah's blessings, even in our rest.
How to Read
As you prepare to sleep, recite this dua sincerely, focusing on its meaning. Place your right hand under your cheek if you wish, and be mindful of the profound reliance on Allah that this supplication embodies. It's about entrusting your life and your well-being to the One who truly controls them.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses a deep acknowledgment of Allah's power over life and death, reflecting the Prophet's ﷺ understanding that sleep is a form of temporary death. By reciting this, we seek Allah's forgiveness for any shortcomings, and ask for His protection over our souls, just as He protects His righteous servants. It's a powerful way to end the day, finding peace and security in Allah's care, and ensuring that even our sleep is an act of worship and reliance.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say when he went to bed, 'O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of all things, the One Who splits the grain and the seed, the One Who revealed the Tawrat and the Injil and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of every evil-doer whose forelock You are holding. O Allah, You are the First and there is nothing before You, and You are the Last and there is nothing after You, and You are the Apparent and there is nothing above You, and You are the Hidden and there is nothing besides You. Remove the debt from us and enrich us from poverty.' [Sahih Muslim 2713]. Another narration, from the same source: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When any one of you goes to his bed, he should take hold of the end of his lower garment and dust his bed with it, and he should lie on his right side and say: 'Bismika Rabbi wada'tu janbi, wa bika arfa'uhu. In amsakta nafsi faghfir laha, wa in arsaltaha fahfadh-ha bima tahfathu bihi 'ibadakas-salihin.' [Sahih Muslim 2714]