Dua Before Sleep: O Allah, You Created My Soul

Dua Before Sleep: O Allah, You Created My Soul

Sleep is a daily reminder of our dependence upon Allah. Before going to bed, a Muslim is encouraged to remember Allah, place their trust in Him, and ask for His protection. Among the beautiful supplications reported from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is this dua in which a believer entrusts their soul to its Creator.

Arabic Dua

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ

Transliteration

Allāhumma innaka khalaqta nafsī wa anta tawaffāhā, laka mamātuhā wa maḥyāhā, in aḥyaytahā faḥfaẓhā, wa in amattahā faghfir lahā. Allāhumma innī as’aluka l-‘āfiyah.

English Translation

O Allah, You have created my soul and You take it back. Unto You is its death and its life. If You give it life then protect it, and if You cause it to die then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You for strength.

What This Dua Teaches Us

This dua contains a profound expression of tawakkul, or reliance upon Allah. It reminds us that our souls belong to Allah and that our life and death are ultimately under His command. When we close our eyes at night, we do not know whether we will wake up the following morning. This supplication therefore turns an ordinary bedtime routine into an act of worship and remembrance.

The words asking Allah to protect the soul if He grants life are especially meaningful. They teach us to seek Allah’s protection not only from physical harm but also from anything that can damage our faith and well-being. The request for forgiveness if Allah causes the soul to die reminds us of the importance of meeting Allah with repentance and hope.

The final request, “O Allah, I ask You for strength,” teaches the believer to seek well-being from Allah. We need His protection, mercy, forgiveness, and care at every moment.

When to Recite This Dua

This supplication is reported as a dua connected with going to sleep. A believer can make it part of their nightly routine, reciting it sincerely while reflecting on the meaning rather than merely repeating the words.

Hadith Reference

This supplication is reported in Sahih Muslim 4/2083 and Ahmad 2/79, and is included in Hisn al-Muslim, Hadith 103.

May Allah protect us throughout the night, forgive our shortcomings, grant us well-being, and allow us to wake with hearts ready to remember Him.