What dua should children say before sleeping? 5 short bedtime duas with audio, Arabic text, transliteration, and English meaning. Built for Muslim kids ages 3 to 12.
Common questions about Islamic duas before sleep and how to teach them to your child.
The most well-known bedtime dua taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is "Bismika Allahumma amootu wa ahya" which means "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live." Muslims traditionally say this short, beautiful phrase right before going to sleep.
The metaphor of sleep as a small death is a profound Islamic teaching. Each night we surrender ourselves to Allah's care, and each morning we are returned to life by His mercy.
Muslims say a dua before sleeping to place themselves under Allah's protection through the night and to thank Him for the day that has passed. In Islam, sleep is a small death: we lose consciousness, we let go of control, and we trust that Allah will return us to wakefulness in the morning.
Beginning each night with Allah's name builds tawakkul (trust in Allah) and helps a child fall asleep feeling safe and watched over.
If a child wakes from a bad dream, they can say a short dua asking Allah for protection, then turn over on their other side. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that bad dreams come from Shaytan, but Allah is always greater.
Saying a simple phrase like "A‘udhu billah min ash-shaytan" (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan) is enough. Reassure your child that Allah is awake even when they are asleep, and that dreams cannot hurt them.
These duas are drawn from the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, preserved in classical hadith collections such as Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud. The Prophet taught his companions many short duas for bedtime, including the Bismika Allahumma phrase.
Some of the simpler bedtime duas on this page are general expressions of Islamic gratitude and trust in Allah, suitable for very young children who are just beginning to learn.
Make it part of the bedtime ritual. After teeth are brushed and the lights are dim, sit with your child and say the dua together. Start with just the shortest one. Within a few nights, your child will start saying it on their own.
The karaoke feature on this page highlights each Arabic word as it plays, which helps children learn the pronunciation. Saying a dua before sleeping becomes one of the most peaceful and comforting habits a Muslim child can carry into adulthood.
Yes. Allah hears every language. Many children begin with the English meaning ("In Your name, Allah, I sleep") and gradually learn the Arabic words over time.
Some Muslim parents also add their own personal goodnight prayers in their family's language, asking Allah to protect their child and bring them peace through the night. The page shows the Arabic, the transliteration, and the English meaning so your child can pray in whichever way feels most natural.