Protection Before Sleep & Ayat al-Kursi
Context & Islamic Significance
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before going to sleep ensures that an appointed guardian angel from Allah stays over you, and no devil can approach you until the morning (Bukhari 5017). Combining it with the Three Quls repels nightmares and harmful unseen entities.
📖Verses & Hadiths for Recitation
4 texts / referencesAllahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta'khudhuhu sinatuw-wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard. Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnih. Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhitoona bi-shay'im-min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a. Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ard, wa la ya'uduhu hifzuhuma, wa Huwal-'Aliyyul-'Adheem.
Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Source: Saheeh International
Qul Huwallahu Ahad. Allahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad.
Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'
Source: Saheeh International
Qul a'oodhu bi Rabbil-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffathati fil-'uqad. Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad.
Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of that which He created, And from the evil of darkness when it settles, And from the evil of the blowers in knots, And from the evil of an envier when he envies.'
Source: Saheeh International
Qul a'oodhu bi Rabbin-naas. Malikin-naas. Ilaahin-naas. Min sharril-waswaasil-khannaas. Alladhee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas. Minal-jinnati wan-naas.
Say, 'I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer - Who whispers into the breasts of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind.'
Source: Saheeh International
🌿How to Perform (According to Sunnah)
Before lying down in bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi. Then cup your hands together, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas, blow lightly into your palms, and wipe over your body starting from your head and face, repeating three times.
Important Safety & Shariah Note
Ruqyah is a means of seeking Allah's protection and healing; it does not replace medical care. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for illnesses. Never wear amulets/talismans or visit fortune-tellers/sorcerers.
Related Topics
Morning & Evening Daily Protection Adhkar
The morning and evening supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ are the believer's strongest spiritual shield against the evil eye, witchcraft, satanic whispers, and harmful creatures. Reciting them consistently brings peace and divine safeguarding.
Prophetic Supplication for Protecting Children
Young children are vulnerable to evil eye and demonic harms. The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge for his grandsons Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, saying: 'Your forefather [Ibrahim] used to seek refuge with these words for Ismail and Ishaq' (Bukhari 3371). This is the authentic alternative to amulets.