Duas and Sunnah Actions for Nightmares
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave us clear instructions on how to respond to bad dreams or nightmares. These are not only spiritual solutions but also bring emotional comfort and protection.
✅ 1. Turn to Allah Immediately & Seek Refuge
🔹 Say This Upon Waking from a Nightmare:
Arabic:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Transliteration:
A‘oodhu billāhi min ash-shayṭāni r-rajīm
Translation:
“I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil.”
Meaning: You ask Allah to protect you from the evil of Shayṭān, who may be the cause of disturbing dreams.
✅ 2. Spit Lightly to the Left 3 Times
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If any one of you sees a dream he dislikes, let him blow to his left three times and seek refuge with Allah from Shayṭān, and it will not harm him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5747, Sahih Muslim 2261)What to Do:
Lightly spit (dry spit) to your left side 3 times
Say A‘oodhu billāhi min ash-shayṭān
✅ 3. Do Not Share the Nightmare with Anyone
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If anyone sees a dream he dislikes, let him not tell anyone about it...”
(Sahih Muslim 2261)Why?
Talking about bad dreams may increase fear or give Shayṭān more power to disturb you. Keep it private and turn to Allah instead.✅ 4. Change Your Sleeping Position
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“...and let him change the side on which he was lying.”
(Sahih Muslim 2261)Action:
If you were lying on your left, shift to your right — or vice versa. It helps break the mood of the dream.✅ 5. Perform Wudu & Pray Two Rak‘ah
If fear remains after doing the above:
“Then he should get up and pray, and it will be a protection for him.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3904 – Hasan)Meaning:
Prayer calms the soul, strengthens your connection with Allah, and clears any evil effects from Shayṭān.✅ 6. Recite Duas of Protection Before Sleeping
To prevent nightmares, it’s from the Sunnah to recite these before sleep:
🛏️ Dua 1: Ayat al-Kursi – Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, a guardian from Allah will protect him and Shayṭān will not approach him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2311)🛏️ Dua 2: The Last 3 Surahs (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Naas)
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Naas, blow into his hands, and wipe over his body 3 times before sleeping.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5017)🛏️ Dua 3: Tasbeeh Fatimah (34x Allahu Akbar, 33x Alhamdulillah, 33x SubhanAllah)
The Prophet ﷺ advised this dhikr to Fatimah (RA) before sleep for energy and protection.
(Sahih Bukhari 3705)🛡️ Summary – What To Do After a Nightmare:
Step Action 1️⃣ Say: A‘oodhu billāhi min ash-shayṭān ir-rajīm 2️⃣ Spit (lightly) 3 times to your left 3️⃣ Change your sleeping side 4️⃣ Do not share the dream 5️⃣ Get up and pray 2 Rak‘ahs if fear remains 6️⃣ Recite Ayat al-Kursi & 3 Quls before next sleep 🤍 Reminder from the Sunnah:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A good dream is from Allah and a bad dream is from Shayṭān.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6985, Sahih Muslim 2261)
So do not fear. No dream can harm you when you follow the Sunnah and place your trust in Allah.
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