What are the Sunnah habits for going to sleep, and how do I teach them to my child?

Question

Bloomtivo Academy · Accepted Answer

Five simple Sunnahs: make wudu before bed, dust off the bed (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320), lie on the right side with the hand under the cheek, recite the three Quls and Ayat al-Kursi, and say “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya” (In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live). Teach one habit a week until the routine is complete. Bedtime Sunnahs bring calm, protection and reward, and children enjoy the routine.Five SunnahsSunnahSourceWudu before bedThe Prophet ﷺ advised making wudu as for prayer, then lying on the right side (Sahih al-Bukhari 6311)Dust off the bedShake out the bed covers before lying down (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320)Right sideLie on the right sideReciteThe three Quls and Ayat al-KursiDuaبِاسْمِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَاWaking upWhen waking: الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ. See dua when waking up.One habit a weekWeek 1: the sleeping dua.Week 2: lying on the right side.Week 3: the three Quls.Week 4: dusting the bed and wudu.A picture chartMake a bedtime chart with five pictures: tap, bed, right hand, Quran, hands raised. Your child ticks each one.Teacher’s tip: children love the “dusting the bed” Sunnah; it feels like a fun ritual. Start with that one if your child resists bedtime routines.Related: Bedtime Quran routine and bedtime duas.

Sunnah	Source
Wudu before bed	The Prophet ﷺ advised making wudu as for prayer, then lying on the right side (Sahih al-Bukhari 6311)
Dust off the bed	Shake out the bed covers before lying down (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320)
Right side	Lie on the right side
Recite	The three Quls and Ayat al-Kursi
Dua	بِاسْمِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

What are the Sunnah habits for going to sleep, and how do I teach them to my child?

Five Sunnahs

Waking up

One habit a week

A picture chart

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