Sunnah acts before sleeping include Wudu, lying on your right side, Ayat al-Kursi, the three Quls, and the Prophet’s bedtime duas. Together, these habits calm anxious thoughts and place your night under Allah’s protection. Follow them in order, and end with “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.”

Reviewed for accuracy against authentic sources.

When the noise of the day fades, worries often grow louder. Perhaps work went badly, or a hurtful word keeps replaying in your mind. You may even lie awake and ask, “Why does everything happen to me?”

Please know that you are not alone. In fact, the Prophet (PBUH) did not leave us helpless at night. Instead, he taught simple habits and supplications that bring peace to a restless heart.

This guide covers each of the sunnah acts before sleeping, with its Hadith source and exact dua. Therefore, you can build one calm routine and repeat it every night.

Your Bedtime Routine at a Glance

Scan this table first. Then read the details of each step below.

Step	Sunnah Act	Source
1	Perform Wudu and lie on your right side	Sahih al-Bukhari: 247
2	Recite Ayat al-Kursi	Sahih al-Bukhari: 2311
3	Recite the three Quls and wipe your body	Sahih al-Bukhari: 5017
4	Recite the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah	Sahih al-Bukhari: 5009
5	Say the Tasbih of Fatimah	Sahih al-Bukhari: 3113
6	Seek forgiveness with Istighfar	Sahih al-Bukhari: 6307
7	End with “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya”	Sahih al-Bukhari: 6312

The Complete List of Sunnah Acts Before Sleeping

Each of these sunnah acts before sleeping takes only a minute or two. Together, they take about ten minutes. Start with one or two, and then add the rest over time.

1. Perform Wudu and Lie on Your Right Side

The Prophet (PBUH) told us to perform Wudu as we do for prayer when we go to bed. Then we should lie on our right side. After that, we recite a dua of full trust in Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari: 247; Sahih Muslim: 2710).

Wudu refreshes the face and settles the body. As a result, many people feel calmer after it.

اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ، وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ

Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk. La malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalt, wa bi nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalt.

“O Allah, I surrender myself to You and entrust my affairs to You. I rely on You with hope and fear. There is no refuge from You except in You. I believe in Your Book and Your Prophet.”

Recite this dua after Wudu, while you lie on your right side. The Prophet (PBUH) said that whoever dies that night dies upon the natural faith (Fitrah).

2. Recite Ayat al-Kursi

Ayat al-Kursi is the greatest verse of the Qur’an (Qur’an 2:255). A famous Hadith explains its bedtime reward. Reciting it means a protector from Allah stays with you, and Satan cannot come near until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2311).

Therefore, read it slowly and reflect on its meaning. You can read the full verse and its translation on Quran.com.

3. Recite the Three Quls and Wipe Your Body

Every night, the Prophet (PBUH) cupped his hands together and blew gently into them. He then recited Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah an-Nas.

After that, he wiped his hands over as much of his body as he could. He began with his head and face. Then he repeated the whole act three times (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5017).

4. Recite the Last Two Verses of Surah al-Baqarah

The Prophet (PBUH) said these verses suffice for whoever recites them at night (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5009). Scholars explain that they suffice as protection, and some say they suffice in place of other night prayers.

These verses are Qur’an 2:285 and 2:286. They also end with a beautiful dua, which asks Allah not to burden us beyond our ability.

5. Say the Tasbih of Fatimah

The Prophet (PBUH) taught his daughter Fatimah (RA) a better gift than a servant. He told her to say these words when she went to bed (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3113; Sahih Muslim: 2727).

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar.

“Glory be to Allah. All praise is for Allah. Allah is the Greatest.”

Say “Subhanallah” 33 times and “Alhamdulillah” 33 times. Then say “Allahu Akbar” 34 times. Recite them after the three Quls, once you are in bed.

6. End With the Final Bedtime Dua

The last words the Prophet (PBUH) said before sleep were short and beautiful. He placed his hand under his cheek and recited the dua below (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6312).

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya.

“In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.”

Say it as you close your eyes, and let it be your last spoken words.

Wash Away Inner Sorrow With Istighfar

Small mistakes and daily stress build an unseen weight in the heart. Sincere repentance lifts that weight. So, make Istighfar one of your sunnah acts before sleeping.

Even the Prophet (PBUH) sought forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6307). In another report, he said he repented a hundred times a day (Sahih Muslim: 2702).

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Astaghfirullahal-‘Azeem alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyumu wa atubu ilayh.

“I seek forgiveness from Allah the Mighty, besides whom there is no deity, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. I turn to Him in repentance.”

Recite this dua when you lie down at night. The Prophet (PBUH) said that whoever says it is forgiven, even if he fled from battle (Sunan Abi Dawud: 1517).

Surrender Your Worries to Allah’s Plan

Some plans did not work out today. So what? What feels like failure may be Allah’s way of protecting you from a greater harm. Allah (SWT) takes care of your tomorrow.

The Qur’an says, “Do not despair of the mercy of Allah” (Qur’an 39:53). Likewise, He promises that whoever relies on Him will find Him sufficient (Qur’an 65:3).

In the quiet of tonight, do not burden yourself with the past or the future. Instead, entrust your day to Allah, and close your eyes with peace in your heart.

A Dua to Relieve Anxiety and Sorrow

Anxiety often peaks at night, when nothing distracts us. Fortunately, the Prophet (PBUH) taught a short dua to seek refuge from worry and grief. He recited it often, and you can make it part of your daily supplications (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2893).

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ

Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan.

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow.”

Recite it when worry rises, whether at bedtime or during the day.

How to Build the Habit

A routine works only when you can keep it. Therefore, begin small with these sunnah acts before sleeping, and grow slowly.

• Start with two acts: Choose Wudu and the final dua. Then add one more each week.
• Keep a card nearby: Place a small dua card by your bed, so you never forget the words.
• Switch off your phone: Screens fuel overthinking, so put your phone away before you recite.
• Pray before bed: If your heart is restless, pray two Rak’ahs of Nafl. Our Tahajjud prayer guide explains how.
• Stay consistent: A little every night is better than a lot once a month.
• Involve your family: Teach children one short dua each week, so the whole home sleeps with remembrance.

Why These Habits Calm an Overthinking Mind

Overthinking feeds on silence and unfinished worries. A fixed bedtime routine gives the mind a clear path to follow. As a result, there is less room for repeated, anxious thoughts.

Also, each act reminds you of one truth. Wudu reminds you to clean up. Istighfar reminds you that Allah forgives. Finally, the last dua reminds you that your life is in His hands.

Therefore, think of this routine as a gentle handover of your worries. You hand your day to Allah (SWT), and He keeps you safe until morning. These sunnah acts before sleeping simply put that trust into words.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at Bedtime

• Rushing the words: Slow recitation brings more calm than fast repetition.
• Reciting without meaning: Learn the translation, so the dua reaches your heart.
• Scrolling in bed: Late-night screens undo the peace you just built.
• Going all-or-nothing: Missing one night should never end the habit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Should I Do Before Sleep If My Mind Feels Restless?

Answer: Perform Wudu and pray two Rak’ahs of Nafl. Then pour your heart out to Allah in Sujood, using your own language. Finish with the bedtime duas above.

What Is the Benefit of Reciting Ayat al-Kursi Before Sleeping?

Answer: A protector from Allah stays with you, and Satan cannot come near until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2311).

Which Side Should I Sleep On According to the Sunnah?

Answer: The Sunnah is to lie on your right side. Many scholars also advise placing your right hand under your cheek.

Do I Need Wudu Every Night?

Answer: Wudu before sleep is a recommended Sunnah, not an obligation. If it is difficult, you may still recite the duas and remember Allah (SWT). Even so, try to keep Wudu whenever you can, since it brings extra calm and reward.

Can I Make These Duas in My Own Language?

Answer: Yes, you may add personal dua in any language. However, keep the Prophet’s own words as your base. Their meaning is complete.

What If I Forget a Step?

Answer: Do not worry. Simply start again the next night, because Allah (SWT) rewards every sincere effort.

Final Thoughts

By following these sunnah acts before sleeping, you protect yourself from negative thoughts and sleep with a calmer heart. Leave today’s mistakes and sadness behind with tonight. Tomorrow belongs to Allah.

Keep practicing these sunnah acts before sleeping, and share this guide with someone who struggles to sleep. May Allah (SWT) fill your heart with tranquility and grant you a bright, blessed morning. Ameen.

References

• The Holy Qur’an: 2:255, 2:285-286, 39:53, and 65:3
• Sahih al-Bukhari: 247, 2311, 2893, 3113, 5009, 5017, 6307, and 6312
• Sahih Muslim: 2702, 2710, and 2727
• Sunan Abi Dawud: 1517

Author Bio

Explore Islamic World Editorial Team

The Explore Islamic World editorial team writes each guide from the Qur’an, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Sunan collections. We check every Hadith number against Sunnah.com before publishing. Where scholars differ, we present each view fairly.