Duas and Healing
Islamic Bedtime Duas for Kids: A Simple Five-Minute Routine
Bedtime is the quietest hour of a child’s day, and it is the best time to plant love for Allah and the Ahlul Bayt. A few short words said every night, in the same calm voice, become the thing a child remembers all their life.
Below is a simple routine drawn from what is reported from the Prophet (P.B.U.H), Lady Fatima (S.A) and the Imams, and arranged so even a three-year-old can follow it.
A five-minute bedtime routine
- Wudu or wash hands and face. It signals that the day is ending and something calm is beginning.
- Salawat. Sending blessings on the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his family before sleep is a gentle habit children pick up easily.
- The Tasbih of Lady Fatima (S.A). 34 Allahu Akbar, 33 Alhamdulillah, 33 Subhanallah. It is reported from Imam al-Sadiq that this tasbih, together with Ayat al-Kursi and the last surahs, is a good habit before sleep.
- Ayat al-Kursi. Quran 2:255. Many Shia families recite it before sleeping, as it is known as a verse of protection.
- One short dua and a hug. Choose one from below.
For small children, shrink every number. Three of each is a beautiful beginning, and you can build up over weeks.
Short duas children can learn
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
Salawat, a simple blessing to say before sleep
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيَا وَأَمُوتُ
Bismika Allahumma ahya wa amut
In Your name, O Allah, I live and I die.
A short bedtime dua many families teach their children
Tell your child: “Allah looks after us when we are awake and when we sleep.” It is the whole meaning of the dua, in a sentence a child can keep.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Alhamdu lillahi alladhi ahyana ba’da ma amatana wa ilayhin nushur
Praise belongs to Allah, who gave us life after He made us sleep, and to Him is the return.
A short dua many families say on waking
There is a waking dua too. A child who says “Alhamdulillah” the moment they open their eyes starts every day in thanks.
Short surahs before sleep
- Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas. The last two are known as the Mu’awwidhatayn, the surahs of seeking refuge. They are recited for protection, and seeking Allah’s refuge from disturbing dreams is recommended in the Shia hadith collections.
- Surah al-Mulk and Surah al-Kafirun. A report from Imam al-Sadiq describes Surah al-Mulk at night as protection until morning, and Surah al-Kafirun is also commonly recited before sleep. Older children can learn them gradually.
- Ayat al-Kursi. Quran 2:255, the greatest verse for protection.
When your child has a bad dream
Hold them first, and talk second. Once they are calm, say al-Falaq and an-Nas together, slowly. These two surahs are all about taking refuge in Allah, and seeking His refuge from disturbing dreams is recommended in the Shia hadith collections.
Then reassure them in plain words: “You are safe. Allah is with you. I am right here.”
By age
Ages 2 to 4
Salawat three times, “Bismika Allahumma ahya wa amut,” a hug. Keep it under two minutes.
Ages 5 to 8
Add Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar (start with 10 each), Ayat al-Kursi in small pieces, and one shared thank-you: “What are you thankful for today?”
Ages 9 and up
Build toward the full Tasbih of Lady Fatima (S.A), add the Mu’awwidhatayn, and let them choose a dua to say alone. Privacy and ownership matter at this age.
Bedtime books that carry the dua
A story before the dua gives the day somewhere gentle to land. These two are written for exactly this moment.
Before I Sleep, I Talk to AllahA Bedtime Book of Gratitude and Prayers · a bedtime story about talking to Allah
My Feelings, My DuasA Muslim Child’s Guide to Big Emotions · duas for big feelings, from the Prophets · Ages 5–9
For daily salawat, see Why Teach Your Child to Say Salawat Every Day. For stories to read before the dua, see Ahlul Bayt Bedtime Stories by Age.
Common questions
What bedtime duas can a young child say?
Start with salawat (“Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad”), Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar, and the short dua “Bismika Allahumma ahya wa amut.” Add Ayat al-Kursi, Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas as they grow.
What is the Tasbih of Lady Fatima (S.A) and when is it said?
It is 34 times Allahu Akbar, 33 times Alhamdulillah and 33 times Subhanallah. It is taught by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to his daughter and is recommended after every prayer and before sleep. For small children, say a smaller number together and build up slowly.
What can I do if my child has nightmares?
Comfort them first. Then recite the last two surahs of the Quran (al-Falaq and an-Nas) with them. Seeking Allah’s refuge from disturbing dreams is recommended in the Shia hadith collections, and these two surahs are all about taking refuge in Him.
Which side should a child sleep on?
The tradition is to sleep on the right side with the right hand under the cheek, as described in narrations about the Prophet (P.B.U.H). Do not worry if a child rolls over in the night.
How long should the bedtime routine be?
Five minutes is enough. A calm routine you repeat every night does more good than a long one you skip.
