اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَسَيِّئَاتِ الأَحْلاَمِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the actions of Shaytan and from bad dreams.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'amalish-shaytan wa sayyi'atil-ahlam
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited before sleeping. It's a beautiful way to entrust yourself to Allah's protection as you enter a state where you are most vulnerable to Shaytan's whispers, including those that manifest as disturbing dreams.
How to Read
As taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, when you intend to sleep, you should recite this dua. It's also part of the general etiquette of sleeping in Islam to make wudu (ablution), brush your teeth, recite Ayatul Kursi, and the Mu'awwidhat (Surahs Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas) before sleeping. This specific dua focuses on seeking protection from the negative influence of Shaytan and disturbing dreams.
Virtues & Benefits
By reciting this dua, you are actively seeking Allah's protection. Good dreams (Ru'ya Salihah) are considered glad tidings from Allah, as mentioned in a famous hadith: 'The good dreams are from Allah, and the bad dreams are from Shaytan.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 7045). Seeking refuge from bad dreams ensures peace of mind and a restful sleep, free from anxiety caused by nightmares. It also reaffirms your Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) by acknowledging that protection only comes from Him.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Salama bin 'Abdur-Rahman that he said: 'I asked 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ: 'O Mother of the Faithful, what did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do when he saw a bad dream?' She said: 'When he saw a bad dream, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would wake up and say: *Glory be to Allah! I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this (bad dream).* He would not narrate it to anyone. And when he saw a good dream, he would be happy and his face would show it. And he (the Prophet ﷺ) said: *'O Allah, (this is) what I did not do and what I did not do and what I did not do.'* (The narrator meant that he did not do what he saw in the dream). He said: 'And when he saw something that he liked, he would say: *Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.'* (This refers to the good dream). I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, when he sees a bad dream, what should he do?' He said: 'Let him spit to his left three times and seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and turn over to the side from which he was having it, for it will not harm him, and let him not mention it to anyone.' Then I said to him: 'O Messenger of Allah, I see dreams that I dislike.' He said: 'When you see a bad dream, you should say: *Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'amalish-shaytan wa sayyi'atil-ahlam (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the actions of Shaytan and from bad dreams)*.' Then he said: 'If you say that, then they will become a dream that does not harm you.'