Bedtime is the easiest time to build a daily dhikr habit. Add one step at a time.
Bedtime duas in order of learning
| Stage | Dua or dhikr | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (age 3+) | بِاسْمِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا | Bukhari 6312 |
| 2 (age 4+) | Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas into the hands, wiped over the body, three times | Bukhari 5017 |
| 3 (age 6+) | Ayat al-Kursi | Bukhari 2311 |
| 4 (age 7+) | SubhanAllah ×33, Alhamdulillah ×33, Allahu Akbar ×34 | Bukhari 3705 |
| 5 (older) | Al-Mulk; last two verses of Al-Baqarah | See below |
The story behind the tasbih
Fatimah asked her father ﷺ for a servant to help with hard housework. He taught her and ‘Ali this tasbih at bedtime instead, saying it was better for them than a servant (Bukhari 3705). Children love the story.
How to teach
- One new dua every two weeks.
- You say it; your child repeats; then they say it alone.
- A picture card by the bed.
Waking up
Pair with the waking dua. See dua when waking up.
Teacher’s tip: keep bedtime duas the last thing before lights out, every night, in the same order. Routine makes them automatic.
Related: Bedtime Quran routine, sleep Sunnahs and last two verses of Al-Baqarah.
