اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ فَتْحَهَا وَنَصْرَهَا وَنُورَهَا وَبَرَكَتَهَا وَهُدَاهَا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا
O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this night, its opening, its help, its light, its blessings, and its guidance. And I seek refuge in You from the evil of this night and the evil of what comes after it.
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayra hadhihi al-laylati fatḥaha wa naṣraha wa nūrahā wa barakatahā wa hudāhā. Wa a'udhu bika min sharri hadhihi al-laylati wa sharri ma ba'dahā.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is specifically for the evening. As dusk settles and the day's decisions begin to wind down, or perhaps as you prepare for any evening activities or rest, this is the perfect moment to turn to Allah. It’s a way of entrusting your evening, your sleep, and whatever may come next to His care, asking for His blessing and protection.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and heartfelt supplication. Facing the Qiblah (direction of prayer) is a good etiquette, though not strictly obligatory for all supplications outside of Salah. Raise your hands as you make dua, a customary gesture of seeking. Focus on the meaning of the words, asking Allah for the best of the night and protection from its ills. It's often recited after the Maghrib prayer, marking the transition into the night.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses a comprehensive request for the well-being of your night. By asking for its 'opening' (fatḥaha), you seek an auspicious start. 'Its help' (naṣraha) implies divine assistance in whatever you might undertake. 'Its light' (nūrahā) and 'its blessings' (barakatahā) ask for clarity and abundance. 'Its guidance' (hudāhā) seeks direction in your thoughts and actions throughout the night. Most importantly, seeking refuge from 'the evil of this night and the evil of what comes after it' (sharri ma ba'dahā) is a powerful shield against any potential harm, worries, or negative influences that might arise during or after the night.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to teach his companions a dua to be recited in the evening. It was: "Allahumma inni as'aluka khayra hadhihi al-laylati fatḥaha wa naṣraha wa nūrahā wa barakatahā wa hudāhā. Wa a'udhu bika min sharri hadhihi al-laylati wa sharri ma ba'dahā." (O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this night, its opening, its help, its light, its blessings, and its guidance. And I seek refuge in You from the evil of this night and the evil of what comes after it.)