Every night, when the Prophet (ﷺ) would go to his bed, he would join his hands, then blow in them, as he recited in them: “Say: He is Allah, the One.” And “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Al-Falaq” and “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.” Then he would wipe as much as he was able to of his body with them, beginning with them first of his head and face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times.
Hadith Commentary: Nightly Recitation and Protection
This noble tradition from the Book "Chapters on Supplication" in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3402) describes the Prophet's consistent nightly practice of seeking divine protection before sleep. The joining of hands signifies gathering spiritual energy, while blowing into them represents the transmission of Qur'anic blessings into the physical realm.
Significance of the Three Surahs
The recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlas (Say: He is Allah, the One) affirms pure monotheism and protects against shirk. Surah Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) safeguards against external evils and envy, while Surah An-Nas (Mankind) provides protection from internal whisperings and spiritual maladies.
The repetition three times follows the established sunnah of emphasizing important acts of worship, creating a spiritual fortress around the believer throughout the night.
Practical Application and Spiritual Benefits
Wiping the body with blessed hands demonstrates the integration of spiritual protection with physical being. Beginning with the head and face shows priority to the most noble parts, then covering the entire body systematically.
This practice combines verbal dhikr (remembrance) with physical action, creating comprehensive protection that encompasses both the spiritual and physical dimensions of the human being throughout the vulnerable state of sleep.