The dua for waking up is the perfect way to start your day off by thanking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for enabling you to see the light of another day and for blessings in the day ahead.
The dua was recited by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) after waking up. It is narrated by Hudhaifah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would recite this dua when he woke up in the morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 7394). The same has been narrated by Abu Dharr (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) in another instance (Sahih al-Bukhari 7395). Al-Bara' (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite this dua after waking up (Sahih Muslim 2711).
The dua for waking up from sleep in the morning is a fitting way for Muslims to express thankfulness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), not just for a new day, but for the opportunity for a new start. When we’re asleep, we’re experiencing a kind of death; after all, we’re unconscious of our surroundings and our bodies aren’t moving much. When we open our eyes in the morning, we are relieved of that unconscious state and can act again. This alone is a great gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), especially when we think about how many people fall asleep and don’t manage to wake up in the morning.
With the recitation of the duas upon waking up, we Muslims can acknowledge the blessings and rehmat of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) upon us. At the same time, we are also remembering that ultimately everyone has to pass away and return to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) alone. That’s why it’s best that we start our day by keeping this fact in our thoughts.
The dua for waking up in Arabic is as follows:
Morning & Evening Duas
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'ahyaanaa ba'da maa 'amaatanaa wa'ilayhin-nushoor.
Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.
Laa 'illaha 'illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa 'ilaha 'illallahu, wallaahu 'akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa Quwwata 'illaa billaahil-'Aliyyil-'Adheem, Rabbighfir lee.
There is none worth of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worth of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah's leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me. (Whoever says this will be forgiven, and if he supplicates Allah, his prayer will be answered; if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.)
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'aafaanee fee jasadee, wa radda 'alayya roohee, wa 'athina lee bithikrihi.
Praise is to Allah Who gave strength to my body and returned my soul to me and permitted me to remember Him.
'Inna fee khalqis-samaawaati wal'ardhi wakhtilaafil-layli wannahaari la'aayaatil-li 'oolil-'albaab. Allatheena yathkuroon-allaaha qiyaaman wa qu'oodan vua 'alaa junoobihim wa yatafakkaroona fee khalqis-samaawaati wal'ardhi Rabbanaa maa khalaqta haathaa baatilan subhaanaka faqinaa 'athaaban-naar. Rabbanaa 'innaka man tudkhilin-naara faqad 'akhzaytahu wa maa lidhdhalimeena rain 'ansaar. Rabbanaa 'innanaa sami'naa munaadiyan yunaadee lil'eemaani 'an 'aaminoo birabbikum fa'aamannaa, Rabbanaa faghfir lanaa thunoobanaa wa kaffir 'annaa sayyi'aatinaa wa tawaffanaa ma'al-'abraar. Rabbanaa wa 'aatinaa maa wa'adtanaa 'alaa rusulika wa laa tukhzinaa yawmal-qiyaamati, 'innaka laa tukhliful-mee'aad. Fastajaaba lahum Rabbuhum'annee laa 'udhee'u 'amala 'aanulim-minkum min thakarin 'aw 'unthaa, ba'dhukum mim ba'dh, fallatheena haajaroo wa 'ukhrijoo min diyaarihim wa 'oothoo fee sabeelee wa qaataloo wa qutiloo la'ukaffiranna 'anhum sayyi'aatihim wa la'udkhilannahum jannaatin tajree min tahtihal-'anhaaru thawaaban min 'indillaah, wallaahu 'indahu husnuth-thawaab. Laa yaghur-rannaka taqallubul-latheena kafaroo fil-bilaad. Mataa'un qaleelun thumma ma'waahum jahannam, wa bi'sal-mihaad. Laakinil-latheenat-taqaw Rabbahum lahumjannaatun tajree min tahtihal-'anhaaru khaalideena feehaa nuzulam-min 'indillaah, wa maa 'indallaahi khayrul-lil'abraar. Wa 'inna min 'ahlil-kitaabi laman yu'minu billaahi wa maa 'unzila 'ilaykum wa maa 'unzila 'ilayhim khaashi'eena lillaahi laa yashtaroona bi'aayaatillaahi thamanan qaleela, 'oolaa'ika lahum 'ajruhum 'inda Rabbihim, 'innallaaha saree'ul-hisaab. Yaa'ayyuhal-latheena 'aamanus-biroo wa saabiroo wa raabitoo wattaqul-laaha la'allakum tuflihoon.
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.190 Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or (lying) on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You (above such a thing); then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.191 Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.192 Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, (saying), 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.193 Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in (Your) promise.194 And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of (any) worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah , and Allah has with Him the best reward."195 Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land.196 (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.197 But those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allah . And that which is with Allah is best for the righteous.198 And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, (being) humbly submissive to Allah . They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.199 O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.200
Translation: All praise belongs to Allah Who has restored us back to life after causing us to die; and to Him shall we return. [Hadith | Bukhari – 7394]
In another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has stated that there is an additional supplication we should make in the morning as well as at night before sleeping. The title for this dua is Sayidul Istighfaar, which translates to ‘Leader of All Repentance’.
Sayidul Istighfar is a beautiful way for a believer to do astaghfar, to confess their sins before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and gain a lot of benefits as well. According the Hadith:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated: The Prophet (ﷺ) added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6306
With this Hadith, we learn that if we recite this dua during the daytime, preferably upon waking up, we could attain Jannah if our demise was written during that day. If we recite the dua at night before sleeping and pass away during the night, we might become people of Jannah through it as well. Of course, this will be a great boon and success for all Muslims.
Another factor to consider here is the faith and belief we are required to have while reciting these duas. The benefit of such supplications will usually only apply if and when we utter them with full conviction. This way, we are placing our full trust in both Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and His Prophet (ﷺ).
Asking our Lord for forgiveness has great importance in Islam. If we look at the words of the Quran and Hadith closely, it is evident that seeking forgiveness and frequently doing astaghfar actually increases a Muslim in their strength. Several examples of this concept can be seen in the text of the Holy Quran. One is in Surah Hud Ayat 52, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says:
“And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. “
The dua referred to in this Hadith is:
اللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِيْ، فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّاأَنْتَ۔
Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa-ana ‘abduk, wa-ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wawa‘dika mas-tata‘t, a‘oothu bika min sharri ma sana‘t, aboo-o laka bini‘matika ‘alaya, wa-aboo-o laka bithanbee, faghfir lee fa-innahu la yaghfiru-thunaba illa ant.
Translation: O Allah! You are my Rabb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon.
In yet another Hadith about morning and evening adhkaar, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"There is no Muslim - or no person, or slave (of Allah) - who says, in the morning and evening: 'Radaytu billahi Rabban wa bil-Islami dinan wa bi Muhammadin nabiyyan (I am content with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion and Muhammad as my Prophet),' but he will have a promise from Allah to make him pleased on the Day of Resurrection."
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مِسْعَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ سَابِقٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلاَّمٍ، خَادِمِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ أَوْ إِنْسَانٍ أَوْ عَبْدٍ يَقُولُ حِينَ يُمْسِي وَحِينَ يُصْبِحُ رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا - إِلاَّ كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُرْضِيَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ " .
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah 3870)
Therefore, Muslims should recite the following dua three times upon waking up from sleep:
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم
Transliteration: Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i, wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim.
Translation: In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),’ nothing will harm him.
At every stage of life, we have to go through certain trials and face hurdles. By reciting a dua that the Prophet (ﷺ) himself has taught us, we can properly seek Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) help in getting through all the difficulties of that day and in general. We acknowledge that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only One who can protect us again all kinds of harm. There are several types of dangers that we might be helpless against, including black magic, corruption, backbiting, etc, but no one and nothing can harm us if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) provides His protection.
It was reported by Abu Dawood that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is no Muslim – or no person, or slave (of Allah) – who says, in the morning and evening: ‘Radhitu billahi Rabban wa bil-Islami dinan wa bi Muhammadin nabiyyan (I am content with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion and Muhammad as my Prophet),’ but he will have a promise from Allah to make him pleased on the Day of Resurrection”.
Recite this du’a three times when you wake up as follows:
رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا
Transliteration: Radhitu Billahi Rabba wabil-Islāmi dīnan wa bi-Muḥammadin nabiyyan.
Translation: I am pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion and with Muhammad (PBUH) as my Prophet.
Another dua to be recited in the morning is:
أَصْبَـحْـنا وَأَصْبَـحْ المُـلكُ للهِ رَبِّ العـالَمـين ، اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَ خَـيْرَ هـذا الـيَوْم ، فَـتْحَهُ ، وَنَصْـرَهُ ، وَنـورَهُ وَبَـرَكَتَـهُ ، وَهُـداهُ ، وَأَعـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنْ شَـرِّ ما فـيهِ وَشَـرِّ ما بَعْـدَه
Transliteration: As-bah-na wa as-ba-hal mulku lil-lahi rabbil-aa-la-mîn. Allahumma innî as’aluka khay-ra ha-zal-yawm, fat-ha-hu wa nas-ra-hu, wa nu-ra-hu wa bara-ka-ta-hu wa hu-da-hu, Wa aa-u-zu bika min shar-ri ma fîhi, wa shar-ri ma ba’-dah.
Translation: We have entered a new day, along with all the dominion which belongs to Allah, Lord of all that exists. O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this day, its opening, its victory, its light, its blessings, and its guidance. I seek refuge in You from the evil that is in it and from the evil that follows it.
The gist of all these morning duas is that we should be reminded of the Greatness, Power, and Mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) among the first things upon waking up. When we have such a beneficial start to the day, our routine will also be the best in any circumstances. With these duas, we remind ourselves to seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) along with being grateful for the gift of a new day and more time to be the best Muslims we can be.
The etiquette of reciting this dua is simple: upon waking up, recite Bismillah and then this dua. It is better to memorize this dua; however, if you cannot recite by memory, open the Muslim and Quran mobile application on your phone and read the dua for waking up.
Reciting the dua for when waking up has many positive spiritual and psychological implications for a person. This dua is a means of expressing one’s gratitude and thankfulness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Moreover, it is a way to start the day with the Remembrance of Allah; if you start your day seeking Allah's blessings, your day will be filled with barakah.
This dua is also a way of reminding one of the helplessness of humans and how it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that grants us countless blessings, including enabling us to wake up every morning. Sleep is called a mini-death; every time we sleep, Allah enables us to wake up. This shows the omnipotence of the Almighty and His great mercy upon man. The dua for waking up also has a positive impact on a person's life as it keeps them mindful of Allah and gives them a sense of protection from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Many times, we may wake up from our sleep at odd hours. There is also a dua for waking up in the middle of the night, which can help us benefit even from this unusual occurrence. With this supplication, we remember that no one and nothing is worthy of worship except Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). We do not join partners with our Rabb, and we also remember that He is the Master of everything. We only praise Him and glorify Him at every turn.
By reciting this dua upon waking up during the night or by praying two nafils at that time, we can make our prayers more accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is also more likely to listen and respond to duas at that moment, so we should make the most of it and recite this supplication while also praying for whatever we want.
The Hadith that gives us the dua for waking up from sleep at night is as follows:
Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (ﷺ) "Whoever gets up at night and says: -- 'La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-lmulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa 'ala kullishai'in Qadir. Al hamdu lil-lahi wa subhanal-lahi wa la-ilaha il-lal-lah wa-l-lahu akbar wa la hawla Wala Quwata il-la-bil-lah.' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, And Allah is Great And there is neither Might nor Power Except with Allah). And then says: -- Allahumma, Ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1154
All in all, we may conclude that reciting certain duas for waking up is beneficial to us. By giving Muslims a meaningful anchor throughout the day, these supplications help us stay connected to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and aware of our own needs. Over time, reciting various duas according to our daily routine will also be helpful in our spiritual journey and gain us lots of reward in the Hereafter, Insha’Allah.