The moments before sleep are sacred.
As the world quiets, and your body sinks into stillness, your soul longs for peace, protection, and connection. In those final breaths before rest, what better companion than the words of the One who created the night and fashioned sleep as a mercy?
For centuries, believers have found deep serenity by ending their day with Qur’anic verses that guard the heart, calm the mind, and invite divine presence into the space around them.
1. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) – Ayat al-Kursi
بَيۡنَ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۚ وَلَا يُحِيۡطُوۡنَ بِشَىۡءٍ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهٖۤ اِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَۚ وَلَا يَـــُٔوۡدُهٗ حِفۡظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الۡعَلِىُّ الۡعَظِيۡمُ
God - there is no God except Him; He is the Ever-Living and the Upholder; He never feels drowsy nor does He sleep; to Him only belongs all whatever is in the heavens and all whatever is in the earth; who is he that can intercede with Him except by His command? He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them, and they do not achieve anything of His knowledge except what He wills; His Throne (of Sovereignty) encompasses the heavens and the earth; and it is not difficult for Him to guard them; and He is the Supreme, the Greatest.
Reciting this verse before sleep is recommended for protection throughout the night.
This verse contains over 17 attributes of God. It connects you with the Divine and His Names. Angels protect you whilst you sleep when it is recited before sleep. Its lights cover you and keep you blessed until you awaken.
2. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285–286) – Last Two Verses
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in God and His angels and His books and His messengers, (saying), "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the (final) destination!"
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًۭا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
for
God does not charge a soul except according to its capacity. For it is what is has gained, and against it is what is has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so help us against the disbelievers."
These verses affirm belief in God and seek His forgiveness and mercy.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
Not only do they bring harmony into a person’s heart and mind, but reciting them with intention grounds a person in the realities of the universe; believing in God, revelation, the angels, divine scripture, obedience to God and supplicating to God Almighty—all of which is mentioned in these last two verses.
Realigning your heart and mind with these Divine universal truths helps you sleep better.
3. Surah Al-Furqan (25:47)
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًۭا وَٱلنَّوْمَ سُبَاتًۭا وَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ نُشُورًۭا
“He is the One who has made the night a covering for you, and the sleep a means of rest, and has made the day a means of revival.”
This verse emphasises sleep as a divine gift for rest and rejuvenation. The blessing in this verse helps your body align with the purpose of the night, which is to rest, and the purpose of the day, which is to awaken, work and achieve new things.
4. Surah Az-Zumar (39:42)
ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“God 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 reflect”.
Reflecting on this verse can instil trust in God's control over life and death. Scholars have said that when we sleep, we enter a kind of ‘death’, where a part of our soul leaves our bodies.
Reciting this verse grounds of hearts and souls in that reality, where we intentionally entrust our souls to God.
5. Surah An-Naba (78:9)
وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًۭا
“And made your sleep (a means for) rest.”
This verse highlights sleep as a blessing from God for relaxation.
Scholars have said that if one struggles to sleep, they should recite this verse repeatedly when lying down, and it will help them fall asleep.
6. Surah Al-Kahf (18:10)
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا
(Mention) when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."
This supplication by the companions of the cave, who sought refuge in the mercy of God, reflects seeking divine guidance and comfort. Reciting this verse, especially the supplication in it, helps one rest their heart, mind and body.
It was after this supplication that God gave the companions of the cave a long rest, making them a sign for mankind.
7. Surah Al-Kahf (18:11)
فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ فِى ٱلْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًۭا
“So We cast (a cover of sleep) over their ears within the cave for a number of years.”
This verse illustrates God’s ability to grant prolonged, peaceful sleep. Reciting it can help you have a peaceful sleep, bringing blessings into your room as you rest.
8. Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةًۭ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًۭا مَّحْمُودًۭا
“And from (part of) the night, pray with it as additional (worship) for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a Praiseworthy Station.”
Engaging in night prayers can bring tranquility and spiritual elevation. This verse helps to give you hope in God's mercy, connecting you to the blessings of the night which are harnessed by those who stand in worship.
9. Surah Al-Fat’h (48:18)
لَّقَدْ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًۭا
God was pleased with the believers when they were pledging allegiance with you (by placing their hands in your hands) under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them, and rewarded them with a victory, near at hand.
This beautiful verse connects with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as we are the spiritual descendants of all those companions who pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
It also recalls the special heavenly tranquillity that descended upon everyone there.
Reciting this verse before sleep envelopes you in that mercy, heavenly tranquillity and light, helping you have a restful sleep.
10. Surah Al-Ikhlaas (112:1-4)
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
1. Say (O Prophet), “He is God, the Absolutely One.”
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
2. “God, the Independent.”
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
3. “He does not give birth nor was He given birth to.”
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ
4. “And there is none equal to Him.”
Surah al-Ikhlaas is an incredibly powerful chapter. It is cleansing, healing and protective.
Reciting it repeatedly before sleep helps calm the mind and soul, and covers you in Divine light. It also causes angels to surround you and protect you from all negative forces whilst you sleep.
11. Surah Al-Falaq (113:1–5)
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ
1. Say (O Prophet), “I seek refuge with the Lord of the Daybreak.”
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
2. “From the evil of what He created.”
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
3. “And from the evil of darkness when it settles.”
وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ
4. “And from the evil of those witches who blow on knots.”
وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
5. “And from the evil of the envier when he envies.”
Reciting this Surah before sleep offers protection from various harms, especially harm which can inflict the body that comes from the Unseen, like from devils, magic, evil eye, envy, etc.
12. Surah Al-Nas (114:1–6)
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ
1. Say (O Prophet) “I seek refuge with the Lord of Mankind.”
مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ
2. “The King of Mankind.”
إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ
3. “The God of Mankind.”
مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ
4. “From the evil of the withdrawing whisperer.”
ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
5. “Who whispers into the hearts of mankind.”
مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
6. “From the jinn and mankind.”
This chapter is a supplication for protection against evil whispers, recommended before sleeping. It protects you from the internal influence of devils and evil people, protecting your mind from anxieties, instabilities and uncontrollable mental noise.
Sleep Better With Nur
Incorporating these verses into your nightly routine can promote relaxation, spiritual comfort, and protection, aiding in a peaceful and restful sleep.
Your soul wasn’t designed to fall asleep under the weight of stress, fear, or anxiety. It was meant to rest in the light of divine remembrance, cradled by the words of the Qur’an.
Each of these recitations is a spiritual medicine. A nightly practice of reciting these will calm the body, cleanse the heart, and protect your soul.
Let God’s words be the last thing you whisper.
And know that as your eyes close, His protection begins.
Sleep with Qur’an. Sleep with Light. Sleep with Nur.