The Way to Akhirah

LITTLE QURAN RECITATION

1. Recite Ayat- ul-Kursi (Quran 2:255)

   Prophet (ﷺ) said, “By reciting it (Ayat- ul-Kursi), there will be a guardian appointed over you from Allah who will protect you during the night, and Satan will not be able to come near you until morning” [Al-Bukhari]

2. Recite the last two Ayats of Surat Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2 – The Cow)
   

   Abu Mas’ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “He who recites the two Ayat at the end of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]

   Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir: that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Indeed Allah wrote in a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and He sent down two Ayat from it to end Surat Al-Baqarah with. If they are recited for three nights in a home, no Shaitan shall come near it.” [Tirmidhi]

3. Recite Surat Al-Mulk (Chapter 67 – The Sovereignty) – for protection from the punishment of the grave.
   

   The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave” [Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Hakim 2/498 & Nasai]

   The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There is a surah in the Quran which is only thirty verses. It defended whoevere recited it , until it puts him into paradise” i.e., Surah al Mulk [Fath al Qadir 5/257, Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Tabrani inAl-Awsat & Ibn Mardawaith]

   Jabir (radiAllahu anhu) said it was the custom of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) not to go to sleep until he had read Tabarakalladhi Biyadihil Mulk and Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel. [Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Darami]

   Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported Rasulullah (ﷺ) as saying, “There is a Surah which will plead for its reciter till it causes him to enter paradise” (Tabarakalladhi Biyadihil Mulk). [Tabrani]

4. Recite Surat Al-Kāfirūn (Chapter 109 – The Disbelievers)
   

   It was narrated that Nawfal al-Ashja’i (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said to me: “Recite Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon then go to sleep at the end of it, for it is a disavowal of shirk.” [Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi]

5. Recite the last three Soorahs (Quls) of the Quran
   

   It was narrated from Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed every night, he would hold his hands together and blow into them, and recite into them Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad, Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-falaq and Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-naas. Then he would wipe them over whatever he could of his body, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, and he would do that three times. [Bukhari]

EXTRA RECITATION:

(once you get used to the above)
6. Recite Surat Al-‘Isrā’ (Chapter 17 – The Night Journey)
7. Recite Surat Az-Zumar (Chapter 39 – The Troops)
   

   It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) would not go to sleep until he had recited Bani Israa’eel (Soorat al-Isra’) and al-Zumar.” [al-Tirmidhi]

DUAS BEFORE SLEEPING

1. If one of you rises from his bed and then returns to it he should dust it with the edge of his garment three times for he does not know what has occurred in his absence and when he lies down he should supplicate:
   
   بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي، وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ، فَإِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا، وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا، بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
   Bismika Rabbee wadha’tu janbee, wa bika ‘arfa’uhu, fa’in ‘amsakta nafsee farhamhaa, wa ‘in ‘arsaltahaa fahfadhhaa, bimaa tahfadhu bihi ‘ibaadakas-saaliheen.
   In Your name my Lord, I lie down and in Your name I rise, so if You should take my soul then have mercy upon it, and if You should return my soul then protect it in the manner You do so with Your righteous servants. [Bukhari and Muslim]
2. The Prophet (ﷺ) would place his right hand under his cheek when about to sleep and supplicate:
   اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ
   Allaahumma qinee ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadaka. (3 times)
   O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the day Your servants are resurrected. [Abu Dawud]
   Also read this dua:
   بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
   Bismikallahumma amootu wa-ahya
   In Your name O Allah, I live and die [Muslim]
3. At the time of difficulty when sleeping, Zaid bin Thaabit (RA) complained to Rasulallah (ﷺ) of not being able to go to sleep at times and he advised him to recite the following dua:
   اللَّهُمَّ غَارَتِ النُّجُومُ وَهَدَأَتِ الْعُيُونُ وَأَنْتَ حَيٌّ قَيُّومٌ * لَا تَأْخُذُكَ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ أَهْدِئْ لَيْلِي وَأَنِمْ عَيْنِي
   Allahummah ghaarithinnujumu wa hadaathil uyoonu wa antha hayyun qayyumulla tha’ khudhu ka sinathuwalaa nawmun yaa hayyun yaa qayyoomu a’hde’ laylee wa anim ‘aynee.
   Oh Allah the stars have sunk in and the eyes have become tranquil and quite and You are alive and ever lasting neither does sleep overcome You. Oh the living and ever lasting one make my night my tranquil and give my eyes sleep. [Ibn Sunni, Hisnul Hasin]
4. If afraid to go to sleep or feeling lonely or depressed then recite:
   أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ، وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ، وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
   A’oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min ghadhabihi wa ‘iqaabihi, wa sharri ‘ibaadihi, wa min hamazaatish-shayaateeni wa ‘an yahdhuroon.
   I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from His anger and His punishment, from the evil of His slaves and from the taunts of devils and from their presence. [Abu Dawud and Tirmithi]
5. This is to be recited if you turn over in bed during the night:
   لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ الْوَاحِدُ اْقَهَّارُ، رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ
   Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahul-Waahidul-Qahhaaru, Rabbus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa maa baynahumal-‘Azeezul-Ghaffaaru.
   There is none worthy of worship but Allah, the One, the Victorious, Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving. [An-Nasa’i, ‘Amalul-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Ibn As-Sunni]
6. If after sleeping one experience a pleasant dream then when ones eyes open then say:
   Alhamdulillah 
   (All Praise be to Allah)
   Then the pleasant dream should only be revealed to trustworthy learned ones so that the dream can be interpreted correctly.
7. If one experiences an unpleasant dream then one should spittle (a form of spitting comprising mainly of air with little spit) three times on the left side and then recitethree times:
   Audhobillaahi Minashaythaanirajeem. 
   I seek refuge with Allah from the evil of shaythan.
   Also change one’s position to the other side and sleep. [Muslim]
   The dream should not be revealed to anyone then it will bring no harm to the person [Bukhari, Muslim]

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH (DHIKR) BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP

1. Isthaghfaar (3 times):
   Asthaghfirullah halladhee laa ilaaha ilallahuwal hayyul qayyumu wa athubu ilay. 
   I seek forgiveness from Allah besides whom there is none worthy of worship, the living, the sustainer of life and to Him I repent. [Tirmidhi]
2. Before you go to bed perform Wudhu as you would for prayer, then lie down on your right side and recite:
   اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ، وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ، وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ، رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ، لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلّا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ، آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ
   Allahumma aslamtu nafsee ilayk, wafawwadtu amree ilayk, wawajjahtu wajhee ilayk, wa-alja’tu thahree ilayk, raghbatan warahbatan ilayk, la maljaa wala manja minka illa ilayk, amantu bikitabikal-lathee anzalt, wabinabiyyikal-lathee arsalt.
   O Allah, I submit my soul unto You, and I entrust my affair unto You, and I turn my face towards You, and I totally rely on You, in hope and fear of You. Verily there is neither refuge nor safe haven from You except with You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent.

   The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever says this and dies in his sleep has died in a state of the natural monotheism (Fitrah).” [Bukhari and Muslim]

HAVING INTENTION TO PRAY TAHAJJUD

Abu Hurraira (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked, “What prayer is most virtuous, after the obligatory prayers?” He said, “Prayer in the depths of the night.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nisaa’i, Ibn Majah]

Narrated Al-Mughira: The Prophet used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “should I not be a thankful slave.” [Bukhari]

Abu Hurraira (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “If you get up for night prayer, start with two short rak’ahs.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: “Which Salat is the best?” He replied, ” The best Salat is that in which Qiyam (the duration of standing) is longer.” [Muslim]

Narrated Hudhaifa:
When the Prophet (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) got up at night (for the night prayer), he used to clean his mouth. [Bukhari]

Narrated Masruq:
I asked `Aisha “What deed was the most beloved to the Prophet?” She said, “The regular constant one.” I said, “At what time did he use to get up at night (for the Tahajjud night prayer)?’ She said, “He used to get up on hearing (the crowing of) the cock (the last third of the night). [Bukhari]

The Prophet (ﷺ) performed the night prayer in pairs (i.e., Rak’ah) and made it odd number by observing one Rak’ah (as Witr). [Bukhari and Muslim]

Narrated Nafi`: Ibn `Umar said, “While the Prophet (ﷺ) was on the pulpit, a man asked him how to offer the night prayers. He replied, ‘Pray two rak`at at a time and then two and then two and so on, and if you are afraid of the dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray one rak`a and that will be the witr for all the rak`at which you have offered.” Ibn `Umar said, “The last rak`at of the night prayer should be odd, for the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered it to be so. [Bukhari]

‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: If the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) missed his night (Tahajjud) Salat because of indisposition or the like, he would perform twelve Rak’ah during the day. [Muslim]

Abu Salamah bin ‘Abdur-Rahman narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say concerning Ramadan: ‘Whoeve spends its nights in prayer (Qiyam) out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Darussalam, Sahih]

EXTRA: SHORT DHIKR TO EARN HUGE REWARDS:

1. Astagfirullah (100 times)
   أستغفر الله 
   I seek forgiveness of Allah

   Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance. [Al-Isra 17:25]

   If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not. [Abu Dawud]

   Al-Agharr Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
   The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.” [Muslim]

2. SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, Subhan-Allahil adheem (100 times)
   سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ 
   Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme

   Whoever says (the above) a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea. [Bukhari and Muslim]

   Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?” I said: “Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi. [Muslim and Tirmidhi]

   A palm tree is planted for the reciter [of the above] in Paradise. [Tirmidhi and al-Hakim]

   Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

3. SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (100 times)
   سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ 
   Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah

   La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah a treasure from the treasures of Paradise. [Bukhari, al-Fath al-Bari, Muslim]

   Abu Sa`id reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baaqiyaat al-SaliHaat) more frequently.” They asked, “What are these enduring good deeds?” The Prophet replied: Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahlil (la ilaha illallah), Tasbih (Subhan’Allah), Alhamdulillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. [an-Nasa’i and Hakim]

   Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet said: “During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar.'” [Tirmidhi and Tabarani]

4. La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer (100 times)
   لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
   There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things

   Whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more. [Bukhari and Muslim]

5. Allahumma salli ala muhammadiw wa ala aali muhammadin kamaa sallaita ala ibrahima wa ala aali ibrahima innaka hamidum majid. Allahumma baarik ala muhammadiw wa ala aali muhammadin kamaa baarakta ala ibrahima wa ala aali ibrahima innaka hamidum majid. (100 times)
   اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ صَلَّيْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ اَللَّهُمَّ باَرِكْ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ باَرَكْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
O Allah, give Your mercy to Prophet Muhammad and his family as You gave Your mercy to Prophet Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Exalted, the Most Noble. O Allah give Your blessings to Prophet Muhammad and his family as You gave Your blessings to Prophet Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Exalted, the Most Noble.

Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace. [Quran 33:56]

Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The one who will be nearest me on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who invoked most blessings on me. [Tirmidhi]

Whosoever recite a durood for me 10 times, Allah will give him 10 blessings, 10 sins of his account deleted, and his rank elevated 10 degrees. [Ahmad, Nasai, and Hakeem]

Don’t make my graveyard a celebration (worship) place, and recite a durood for me, because your recitation will arrive to me wherever you are. [Abu Dawood]

Once Umar bin Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said to his nation: The supplication is stopped between the heaven and the earth and nothing of it ascends, till you invoke blessing on your Prophet. [Tirmidhi]

FINAL REMINDER!

Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. [Quran 39:42]

And it is He who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do. [Quran 6:60]

On the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took me by the shoulder and said: “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer.” Ibn ‘Umar used to say: “When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.” [Bukhari]