الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
All praise is for Allah Who brought us back to life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection.
Al-hamdulillahilladhi ahyaana ba'da ma amaatana wa ilaihi an-nushoor
When to Read
This is the primary dua recited immediately upon waking from sleep. It sets the tone for the day, acknowledging Allah's power over life and death, and reminding us of our ultimate return to Him.
How to Read
Recite this dua as soon as you become conscious after waking up. It's a beautiful way to start your day with gratitude and reflection, connecting your consciousness back to your Creator. It's traditionally recited before moving or engaging in any other activity. Consider reflecting on the meaning of 'death' and 'life' as you say it – sleep is a form of mini-death, and waking is a blessing of renewed life.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is foundational for the start of your day. By thanking Allah for restoring your life, you acknowledge His immense favor. This act of gratitude can open the doors to blessings throughout your day. Furthermore, recognizing that 'to Him is the resurrection' instills a constant awareness of accountability and the hereafter, which can motivate us to live a life pleasing to Allah. A mind that is connected to Allah from the moment it wakes is more likely to seek His guidance in all matters, including cultivating a stronger connection with His book, the Quran.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Hudhaifa: Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) got up for the night (to pray), he would say: Allah-u-Akbar! Glory be to Allah! (Far removed is Allah from imperfection). Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the heavens and what they contain and the earth and what it contains and the evil of what you inflict (upon people) and the evil of what you conceal and the evil of what you reveal. And be too exalted to not say: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of (my heart) and from the evil of everything that crawls and from the first people and the last. And when he slept, he would say: O Allah! It is I whom You created. You will cause me to die. You will give me life. If I keep Your soul alive (in my body), then grant it its soul (i.e. let me die a Muslim). And if You cause it to die, then forgive it. O Allah! I ask You (in my supplication) for the courage to be grateful to You, to worship You well, and the like of my heart. And I ask You for the goodness of what You know, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of what You know, and I ask Your forgiveness for all sins. And he would say: Glory be to Allah and Praise. And (saying) Glory be to Allah the Great, is better than the number of all that is on the earth, and (saying) Allah-u-Akbar is better than it. And he would say: O Allah! Grant me guidance and righteousness and chastity and richness (contentment). And when he woke up from sleep at night, he would say: All praise is due to Allah Who has given us life after death, and to Him is the resurrection. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312)