The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Whenever you go to bed perform ablution like that for the prayer, lie or your right side and say, "Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilaika, wa fauwadtu `Amri ilaika, wa alja'tu Zahri ilaika raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika. La Malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Allahumma amantu bikitabika-l-ladhi anzalta wa bina-biyika-l ladhi arsalta" (O Allah! I surrender to You and entrust all my affairs to You and depend upon You for Your Blessings both with hope and fear of You. There is no fleeing from You, and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allah! I believe in Your Book (the Qur'an) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom You have sent). Then if you die on that very night, you will die with faith (i.e. or the religion of Islam). Let the aforesaid words be your last utterance (before sleep)." I repeated it before the Prophet (ﷺ) and when I reached "Allahumma amantu bikitabika-l-ladhi anzalta (O Allah I believe in Your Book which You have revealed)." I said, "Wa-rasulika (and your Apostle)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No, (but say): 'Wanabiyika-l-ladhi arsalta (Your Prophet whom You have sent), instead."
The Excellence of Sleeping in a State of Purification
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 247 emphasizes the spiritual merit of performing ablution (wudu') before sleep. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) instructed that one should make wudu' as one does for prayer, indicating the importance of physical and spiritual cleanliness even during rest. Sleeping in this state reflects a heart attuned to divine remembrance and readiness for the possibility of death during sleep.
The Significance of Sleeping Position
The instruction to lie on the right side carries both physical and spiritual wisdom. Medically, this position aids digestion and heart function. Spiritually, it follows the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) and symbolizes turning toward goodness and away from evil. This position reflects the believer's conscious alignment with prophetic guidance in all matters, even sleep.
The Comprehensive Bedtime Supplication
The lengthy du'a contains profound theological meanings: "O Allah! I surrender to You" expresses complete tawhid (monotheism). "I entrust all my affairs to You" demonstrates tawakkul (reliance on Allah). "There is no fleeing from You" acknowledges divine omnipresence and sovereignty. The declaration of faith in Allah's Book and Prophet constitutes the fundamental pillars of Islamic belief, making this supplication a complete act of worship before sleep.
Prophetic Correction: "Your Prophet" vs "Your Apostle"
When the companion added "and Your Apostle," the Prophet (ﷺ) corrected him to say "Your Prophet whom You have sent." Scholars explain that "Nabi" (Prophet) emphasizes the reception of divine revelation, while "Rasul" (Messenger) emphasizes the delivery of that message. The preferred wording maintains the exact sequence of divine blessings: first the revelation (Book), then the recipient of revelation (Prophet). This precision in wording reflects the importance of following prophetic guidance exactly as taught.
Preparing for the Ultimate Journey
The concluding instruction that "if you die on that very night, you will die with faith" highlights the Islamic concept of death as an unexpected visitor. This teaching encourages Muslims to conclude each day in a state of spiritual preparedness. The final words before sleep should be words of faith and remembrance, as these may be one's last words in this world and first presented in the hereafter.