As is often said, Islam provides a complete code of life. It is a religion that not only emphasizes worship and remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ but also teaches us the practical application of acts of worship in our routine life. Making specific Duas on different occasions, occurrences, and happenings is a practical way to implement the teachings of Islam in our daily routines. While Islam teaches us to recite specific Duas in the morning, in the evening, and before going to bed, it also teaches us to recite special Duas when turning over in sleep. That reflects the depth of Islam as a practical religion, which teaches us how to supplicate and remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, even during sleep, by way of a special dua when changing sides.
Remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is one of the best acts of worship, and is highly emphasized in the Quran. The 191st verse of Surah Al-e-Imran describes frequent remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as one of the qualities of righteous believers.
Translation - those who remember Allah while standing, sitting or (reclining) on their backs, and reflect in the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): 'Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. Glory to You! Save us, then, from the chastisement of the Fire.
Remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ during nights, is further explained as one of the attributes of righteous and true believers, in the 17th and 18th verses of Surah Ad-Dhariyat.
Translation - they used to sleep but little by night, and would ask for forgiveness at dawn,
Remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, especially during nights, is again termed as the best worship in the 6th verse of Surah Al-Muzzammil, as follows:
Translation - Surely getting up at night is the best means of subduing the self and is more suitable for uprightness in speech.
The above verse implies that even if one just wakes up during the night, only for turning the side, and reciting some dua, such as Sunnah dua for changing sleeping position at night, just for remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, would be a great act of worship. Recitation of specific Dua when turning over in bed at night is also a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, as reported in authentic Hadith collections. Hence, it is highly significant to make dua even when waking up briefly at night, for turning over in bed.
The dua to be recited when turning over during the night is an excellent way to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) when we are in a state of half-consciousness. The remembrance of the Almighty at such a stage and moment signifies the utmost belief that a believer puts in his Lord, and for this, the believer is rewarded in full. The dua praises the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and is the perfect way of calling upon him during the night. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite this dua when turning in his bed during the night [ Sahih al-Bukhari 1154]. This dua signifies that Muslims should remember Allah and express their gratitude in all conditions, whether awake, asleep, or in between the two states.
Morning & Evening Duas
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahul-Waahidul-Qahhaaru, Rabbus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa maa baynahumal-'Azeezul-Ghaffaaru.
There is none worthy of worship but Allah, the One, the Victorious, Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving. (This is to be said if you turn over in bed during the night.)
Dua when turning over during the night, as reported in Hadith 1154 of Sahih Al-Bukhari is as follows:
اَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ.
'Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd, wa huwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr. Subḥānallāh, walḥamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh,'
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 to 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.
The main theme of this Dua is to glorify and praise Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. While glorifying and praising Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ in itself is a great act of worship, doing so, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, is even more powerful and virtuous. By reciting this dua when waking up suddenly during the night, we acknowledge and admit the following:
The dua should be recited when a person is turning over in the night while sleeping and has enough consciousness to understand the situation. The dua should be recited knowing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will reward the believer for this act. In addition, a supplication or prayer for forgiveness should also be made since the chances of its acceptance at such a time and after reciting such dua are high.
Some of the etiquettes of reciting this Dua are summarized below:
The benefit of the dua is that the dua made after waking up from sleep is likely to be accepted. A believer calls upon their Lord during the night, and it is almost impossible for a diety so loving and so merciful towards His creation not to hear the call and supplication of His servant who praises Him during the night.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) forgives the sins of the person who recites the dua when turning over during the night. Also, He sends his blessings and protection for the person. The person who recites the dua when turning over during the night and then makes a supplication, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), accepts his call.
You can recite any of the Duas, as reported in authentic Hadiths, such as “Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahul-Waahidul-Qahhaaru, Rabbus-samaawaati wal'ardhi wa maa baynahumal-'Azeezul-Ghaffaaru.” Or “'Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd, wa huwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr. Subḥānallāh, walḥamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh,'”
Yes, whenever you wake up during the night, whether to turn over or for any other reason, it is best practice to recite this Dua.
Practically, it might not be possible or feasible to wake up, make wudu, and then recite this Dua. In Islamic teachings, it is always recommended to perform wudu and attain purity before going to bed, a practice also emphasized in the Sunnah. So, ideally, you must be in the state of wudu when you suddenly wake up to turn over during the night. But even if you are not in the state of wudu, you can still recite it.
Yes, it can be done if you wake up during the night for a longer time. Supplication during the night is an excellent opportunity that should not be wasted.