Dua for Fear and Nightmares During Sleep

September 3, 2026

Uykuda Korkulduğunda Okunacak Dua Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

This dua is recited for fear during sleep, nightmares and restlessness at night. Its last part is taken from Surah al-Mu’minun.

Dua Text

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللّٰهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ

Transliteration

A’udhu bi-kalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa sharri ‘ibadihi wa min hamazatish-shayatini wa an yahdurun.

Meaning

I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath, from the evil of His servants, from the whisperings of the devils, and from their being present with me.

What Is Asked in This Dua

In this short dua, the servant seeks refuge in the perfect words of Allah. Allah’s words are complete and flawless words that carry His decree and His power; by taking refuge in them, the servant is really seeking to enter Allah’s protection. It is like a person who feels defenseless in the dark and in sleep withdrawing into the strongest fortress.

There are four things from which refuge is sought: Allah’s wrath, the evil of His servants, the whisperings of the devils, and their being present. The last two phrases are taken from Surah al-Mu’minun. In this way, the servant asks for protection both from the harm that may come from people and from unseen sources of whispering and unrest; and above all, he flees from Allah’s wrath to His mercy. It is hoped that states such as night terrors and nightmares turn into calm by taking refuge in Allah’s protection.

When and How to Recite

It is recited for fear during sleep, nightmares and restlessness at night. The source book recommends reciting it seven times when going to bed, so as not to be afraid and to sleep peacefully.

It can be recited seven times when you get into bed, before falling asleep, while reflecting on its meaning. It is also fitting to repeat it when you wake up at night in fear. Being in a state of wudu is virtuous but not required; those who find the Arabic difficult can express the same refuge with its meaning in their own language.

Virtue

It is recommended to recite it seven times when going to bed, so as not to be afraid and to sleep peacefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the dua for fear during sleep recited?

It is recited when going to bed, before falling asleep; it is recommended for night terrors, nightmares and restlessness.

How many times is the dua for nightmares recited?

The source book recommends reciting it seven times when going to bed, so as not to be afraid and to sleep peacefully.

What is the source of the dua for fear during sleep?

It appears in the Sunan of Abu Dawud (Tibb 19) and in Majmu’at al-Ahzab; its last part is taken from verses 97-98 of Surah al-Mu’minun.

Source

Al-Mu'minun 23:97-98. Abu Dawud, Tibb 19. Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 610.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 3 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026