الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
All praise is due to Allah Who gave us life after death, and to Him is the return.
Al-hamdulillahilladhi ahyana ba'da ma amana wa ilayhin-nushur.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited immediately upon waking up from sleep. Sleep is often referred to as a small death, and waking up is a return to life, a gift from Allah. This dua acknowledges that gift and prepares us for our ultimate return to Allah.
How to Read
Recite this with sincerity and presence of mind as soon as you feel yourself waking up. You can say it quietly before you even move from your sleeping position. Reflect on the meaning: acknowledging Allah's power to give life and the certainty of our return to Him. Many scholars mention this dua as part of the recommended Sunnah practices upon waking.
Virtues & Benefits
This simple yet profound dua encompasses several layers of meaning and benefit. Firstly, it’s an expression of gratitude to Allah for preserving our lives through the night and granting us another day. It reminds us that our waking is not by our own power, but by Allah’s will. Secondly, it connects our daily awakening to the ultimate Resurrection, the 'nushur' (return) to Allah. By acknowledging this, we live our day with a greater sense of purpose and accountability. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this to orient our hearts towards Allah right from the start of our day.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Hudhaifah: Whenever the Prophet ﷺ woke up from sleep, he would say: 'Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi ahya-na ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur.' (All praise is due to Allah Who gave us life after He caused us to die, and to Him is the return.)