بِسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
In Your Name, my Lord, I lay down my side. In Your Name, I rise. If You seize my soul, then have mercy on it. If You release it, then protect it with what You protect Your righteous servants.
Bismika Rabbi wada'tu janbi, wa bika arfa'uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsalta-ha fahfadha bima tahfazu bihi 'ibadak-as-salihin.
When to Read
Recite this dua just before you lie down to sleep at night. It's a beautiful way to end your day, entrusting yourself entirely to Allah (SWT) as you drift off.
How to Read
This supplication is best recited while lying on your right side, as was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Place your right hand beneath your cheek or head. Say the dua with sincere intention and reflection, focusing on the meaning of entrusting your life and soul to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is profound. It encompasses acknowledging Allah's sovereignty over our lives, even in sleep. By asking for mercy if our soul is taken and protection if it is returned, we are essentially asking for spiritual cleansing and renewal. It fosters a deep reliance on Allah (SWT) and helps purify the heart from any residual anxieties or negative thoughts from the day, preparing the soul for a peaceful rest and a fresh start.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say when he went to bed: بِسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320)