Duas · daily life

Dua Before Sleeping

Sourced from the Qur’an and canonical hadith collections · updated July 2026

When the Prophet ﷺ went to his bed, he would say this short dua. It is one of the easiest sunnahs to keep — four words that hand the day back to Allah before your eyes close.

بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Bismika Allāhumma amūtu wa aḥyā.

"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6324

How and when to say it

Say it as you settle into bed — the narration describes the Prophet ﷺ saying it "when he went to his bed".

It pairs naturally with the rest of the sunnah wind-down: Ayatul Kursi (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311), and cupping the hands, reciting the three Quls, and wiping over the body (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).

On waking, the companion dua thanks Allah for the return of life — see the dua for waking up below.

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Honest answers

What dua do you say before going to sleep?

The shortest authentic one is "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya" — "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6324). Many also recite Ayatul Kursi and the three Quls, both established in Sahih al-Bukhari.

Why does the dua mention dying?

Sleep is called the "minor death" — the Qur’an says Allah takes the souls at death and in sleep (39:42). The dua entrusts your soul to Allah for the night.