بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
In Your name, my Lord, I lie down on my side. In Your name, I rise. If You should take my soul, then have mercy upon it. And if You should return my soul, then protect it with what You protect Your righteous servants.
Bismika Rabbi wadha'tu janbi, wa bika arfa'uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaaha fahfadha bima tahfazu bihi 'ibadakas-salihin.
When to Read
This dua is recited before going to sleep, after settling down to rest.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and contemplation. Imagine your soul being entrusted to Allah (SWT) for the duration of your sleep. Reflect on the meaning of seeking Allah's mercy and protection for your soul, a profound acknowledgment of His absolute power and sovereignty over life and death. Make it a conscious act of turning to Allah before slumber.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a deep acknowledgment of Allah's power over life and death. By reciting it, we are consciously entrusting our souls to His care, seeking both His mercy should we pass away in our sleep, and His protection should we wake. It cultivates humility and reliance on Allah, recognizing that our very breath and existence are in His hands. This constant remembrance strengthens our connection to the Divine and fosters a spiritual mindset, reminding us of our ultimate accountability.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say when he went to bed: 'Bismika Rabbi wadha'tu janbi, wa bika arfa'uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaaha fahfadha bima tahfazu bihi 'ibadakas-salihin.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320)