A day ends has a moment of contemplation. It is an occasion to relate to Allah. Muslims spend this time on supplication. Such prayers are referred to as evening duas and bedtime azkar. They form an essential part of the day-to-day practice of a believer. The repetition of these words is a source of peace. It provides shelter during the night. This is in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him).
This manual discusses the significance of evening and bedtime duas. We shall consider certain supplications. We will know what their advantages are. You will also be taught how to make them a habit. It serves to draw you closer to Allah.
The Importance of Evening Remembrance (Adhkar).
Evening remembrance, or Adhkar al-Masa, is very important in Islam. The Quran urges believers to call on Allah during the morning and evenings. Allah reminds us that we should remember His name in such times. This remembrance makes one stronger in faith. It gives protection against evil.
Evening Adhkar is the time that is usually between the Asr and Maghrib prayers. This window is a blessed time. It is a passage between the day and the night. The term duas, when recited at this time, is a sign of gratitude for the day. It is a way of seeking security at night. The practice will create permanent contact with the Creator. It reminds a Muslim of the existence of Allah.
Powerful Evening Duas and Their Benefits
The evening is suggested to have several duas. Both of them have their peculiar blessings. They are used in various ways. Some ask for forgiveness. Other people are seeking asylum or showing appreciation.
Ayatul Kursi (The Verses of the Throne)
Ayatul Kursi refers to verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah. It is the most important verse in the Quran. Reading it at night is of great protection. Its virtues were declared by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Whoever repeats it at night shall have a watchman of Allah. This chapter secures them against Shaytan (Satan) till daylight.
This verse is very strong in terms of the absolute power and knowledge of Allah. It affirms His oneness. It makes the believer remember his majesty. Chanting it encircles a kind of fortress around. It protects both perceived and perceived evils. It soothes the heart.
Muawwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas).
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas are reputed to be protective. These three chapters would be recited by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) three times in the morning and evening. He told them that they would be adequate for an individual in every sense. This implies that they act as shields against any evil.
Surah Al-Ikhlas affirms the absolute oneness of Allah.
Surah Al-Falaq takes protection in Allah against creation’s evil, the darkness of night, magic, and jealousy. Therefore, Surah An-Nas finds shelter in Allah against the cries of Shaytan, who is a tempter of man. Recitations of these Surahs form an all-encompassing religious safety net. It is an easy but effective discipline. It guarantees safety and well-being to a believer.
Sayyidul Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)
The best way of seeking forgiveness is Sayyidul Istighfar. This is the mighty dua taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He declared that whoever says it with strong faith in the day and passes away before evening, will be of the nation of Paradise. Whoever says it with a strong faith at night and passes on before the morning will also be one of the people of Paradise.
This is an intense request in need of the mercy of Allah. It recognizes Allah as the Lord. It is the awareness of the servitude of oneself. Thus, it confesses sins. It seeks pardon. It is a purification of the soul by reciting it in the evening, to cleanse it of the shortcomings of the day.Thus, it gets a believer in a purified state to meet Allah.
Praying before Sleep: Duas Before Bed.
The pre-sleep moments are a special period for a Muslim. It is a minor death. A believer puts his soul in the hands of Allah. There was a certain program of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before going to sleep. It entailed a number of duas and actions.
Basic Dua Before Sleeping
A simple yet profound dua the Prophet recited was:
“Ų§ŁŁŁŁŁŁŁ ŁŁ ŲØŁŲ§Ų³ŁŁ ŁŁŁ Ų£ŁŁ ŁŁŲŖŁ ŁŁŲ£ŁŲŁŁŁŲ§”
“Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya.”
(O Allah, with Your name I die and I live.)
This short supplication acknowledges Allah’s power over life and death. It places one’s trust completely in Him. It is an easy dua to memorize. Thus, it is a perfect start to a bedtime routine.
Reciting Quranic Verses
The Prophet’s routine included reciting specific Quranic verses. These are protected throughout the night.
- Ayatul Kursi: As said before, evening Adhkar, reciting this verse before you go to sleep, will guarantee that you have a guardian of Allah until you awaken.
- The Last Two Verses of the Surah Al-Baqarah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will be adequate to him. These lines confirm the belief in Allah, in his angels, books, and messengers. They are a mighty appeal of forgiveness and mercy.
- The Three Quls ( Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas): The Prophet would seal his hands and recite these three Surahs, and then he would blow in his hands. He would then rub his hands all over his body, beginning with his head and face. He did this three times. This habit provides a good cure against any injury during sleep.
Seeking Refuge and Forgiveness
Specific duas for protection and forgiveness are also part of the sunnah.
A powerful dua for protection is:
Ų£ŁŲ¹ŁŁŲ°Ł ŲØŁŁŁŁŁŁ ŁŲ§ŲŖŁ Ų§ŁŁŁŁŁŁ Ų§ŁŲŖŁŁŲ§Ł ŁŁŲ§ŲŖŁ Ł ŁŁŁ Ų“ŁŲ±ŁŁ Ł ŁŲ§ Ų®ŁŁŁŁŁ
“A’udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq.”
(I seek protection in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of whatever He has created.)
Reciting this three times in the evening protects from harm, such as insect stings.
Another dua for entrusting one’s soul to Allah is:
ŲØŁŲ§Ų³ŁŁ ŁŁŁ Ų±ŁŲØŁŁŁ ŁŁŲ¶ŁŲ¹ŁŲŖŁ Ų¬ŁŁŁŲØŁŁŲ ŁŁŲØŁŁŁ Ų£ŁŲ±ŁŁŁŲ¹ŁŁŁ…
“Bismika Rabbee wada’tu janbee, wa bika arfa’uhu…”
(With Your Name, my Lord, I lay myself down; and with Your Name I rise. If You take my soul, have mercy on it. If You send it back, then protect it as You protect Your righteous slaves.)
This supplication shows complete reliance on Allah’s will.
Conclusion
Duas practising in the evening and bedtime is not a ritual. It is not a word list of things to repeat. It is a deep personal contact with Allah. The believer opens his or her heart as the world becomes silent. Each prayer is a line in this prayer at night. With Ayatul Kursi, you have bowed down to His greatness. Thou seekest his shelter in the Muawwidhatayn. Therefore, thou confessest thy sins with Sayyidul Istighfar. Thou hast invested thy very soul in Him and hast shut thy eyes.
It is something to do that transforms the final days of your day. It changes them into worship. Thus, it replaces anxiety with tranquillity. It substitutes insecurity with security. It replaces lack of thought with awareness. You do not just end your day. You bring it to a close in front of the deities. Therefore, you are preparing not only to sleep, but also for the meeting with your Lord, though it is the day after tomorrow or the afterlife. This is a light evening conversation. It connects your daytime life with your sleep. It means to be certain that when you are lying asleep, you will have your heart bound to the thought of Allah.
