بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي، وَأَخْرِسْ شَيْطَانِي، وَفُكَّ رِهَانِي، وَثَقِّلْ مِيزَانِي، وَاجْعَلْنِي فِي النَّدِيِّ الأَعْلَى
In the name of Allah, I have laid down on my side. O Allah, forgive my sins, silence my devil, release me from my pledges, weigh heavily my scales, and place me in the company of the highest assembly.
Bismillahi, wa da'tu janbi. Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi, wa akh-ris shaytani, wa fukk rihani, wa thaqqil mizani, waj'alni fin-nadiyil a'la.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited before sleeping. It's a comprehensive supplication for the night, asking Allah for protection and purification as we lay down to rest. It's particularly poignant as it touches upon facing our sins, the whispers of Shaytan, and our accountability, all before we enter a state of unconsciousness.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus after you have settled down in your bed, ready to sleep. It is best to recite it while lying on your right side, as this was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Reflect on the meaning of each phrase: seeking forgiveness, warding off evil influences, fulfilling our commitments, balancing our deeds, and aspiring for a high station with Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication carries immense benefits. It's a proactive way to seek Allah's forgiveness for sins committed during the day. Asking Allah to 'silence my devil' is a powerful plea against the temptations and distractions Shaytan might use to lead us astray, especially during vulnerable moments like sleep. 'Release me from my pledges' refers to seeking relief from any vows or oaths that might weigh us down. 'Weigh heavily my scales' is a hope for our good deeds to be more numerous than our bad deeds on the Day of Judgment. Finally, 'place me in the company of the highest assembly' is a yearning to be among the righteous and those close to Allah in Jannah.
Source & Authentication
Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 'I have not seen Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) recite any of his supplications for the night except these two supplications: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-zaawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiatik, wa faja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the decline of Your blessings, the change of Your protection, the suddenness of Your vengeance, and all of Your displeasure) and 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min ad-dabri wal-hanani' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hindquarters and the evil whispers). And when he slept, he would say: 'Bismillahi, wa da'tu janbi. Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi, wa akh-ris shaytani, wa fukk rihani, wa thaqqil mizani, waj'alni fin-nadiyil a'la' (In the name of Allah, I have laid down on my side. O Allah, forgive my sins, silence my devil, release me from my pledges, weigh heavily my scales, and place me in the company of the highest assembly).' — Sunan Abi Dawud 5054 (Hasan)