144. Dua for Bad Dreams
If you have a bad dream in your sleep, you should spit three times on the left side, then say three times -
Dua for Bad Dreams in Arabic
أَعُوْذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Dua for Bad Dreams English Transliteration
A'oodhu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem
Dua for Bad Dreams English Translation
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.
One need to change sides in their sleep. It is forbidden to tell this dream in front of anyone. Even if you have good dreams, you don't have to tell anyone. But it can be said in front of a close friend or in front of wise people. Narrated Abu Qatadah (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A good dream is from Allah. And bad dreams are from the devil. So whoever has a good dream, let him reveal it to the one he loves. And if anyone has a bad dream, let him seek refuge in Allah from its harm and from the evil of Satan, and spit three times to the left. Don't reveal the dream to anyone. Then it will not be able to harm him. [1] Jarir (RA) said, Rasulullah (ﷺ) said, when one of you has a dream that he dislikes, he should spit three times to his left. And he seeks refuge in Allah from Satan three times and changes sides. [2] Abu Hurairah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If a person has a bad dream, he should get up and pray two rak'ahs. [3]
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ، يَقُولُ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَرَى الرُّؤْيَا فَتُمْرِضُنِي حَتَّى سَمِعْتُ أَبَا قَتَادَةَ يَقُولُ وَأَنَا كُنْتُ لأَرَى الرُّؤْيَا تُمْرِضُنِي، حَتَّى سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " الرُّؤْيَا الْحَسَنَةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُمْ مَا يُحِبُّ فَلاَ يُحَدِّثْ بِهِ إِلاَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّ، وَإِذَا رَأَى مَا يَكْرَهُ فَلْيَتَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّهَا، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَلْيَتْفِلْ ثَلاَثًا وَلاَ يُحَدِّثْ بِهَا أَحَدًا فَإِنَّهَا لَنْ تَضُرَّهُ " .
Narrated Abu Salama: I used to see a dream which would make me sick till I heard Abu Qatada saying, "I too, used to see a dream which would make me sick till I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "A good dream is from Allah, so if anyone of you saw a dream which he liked, he should not tell it to anybody except to the one whom he loves, and if he saw a dream which he disliked, then he should seek refuge with Allah from its evil and from the evil of Satan, and spit three times (on his left) and should not tell it to anybody, for it will not harm him. " [[1] Bukhari: 7044 [2] Muslim: 6041 [3] Sahih (Albani). Tirmidhi: 2280]
Benefits of Dua for Bad Dreams
Finding Comfort with Dua for Bad Dreams
- Reciting dua for bad dreams brings peace and comfort when fear or nightmares disturb sleep.
- It protects the heart and mind, helping one to feel safe at night.
- Gives protection from shaitan when nightmares happen during sleep
- Brings calmness and peace after feeling fear from a bad dream
- Helps remove anxiety and worry about sleeping again
- Strengthens trust in Allahfor safety from evil and fear
- Stops the effect of nightmares by seeking Allah’s refuge
- Easy to remember and recite, helpful for young and old
- Connects the heart to regular Islamic dua and remembrance at bedtime
When to Recite Dua for Bad Dreams
Best Times to Recite Dua for Bad Dreams
- After waking up from a nightmare, recite dua for bad dreams for calmness
- Before going to sleep, recite dua for protection from shaitan and evil
- In the middle of the night if fear or anxiety from dreams wakes you up
- After Fajr prayer if you remember a nightmare from last night
- Any time you feel scared or uneasy about sleeping again
How to Perform Dua for Bad Dreams
Simple Steps for Making Dua for Bad Dreams
- Recite auzubillah minashaitan nirajeem softly after a nightmare for comfort
- Turn to your left side and spit lightly three times, following the sunnah
- Avoid talking about the nightmare to others for peace of mind
- Perform wudu and offer two rak’ah of salah if still feeling anxious
- Recite Ayat Kursi, 4 Qul, or manzil dua as extra protection before going back to sleep
Summary
The dua for bad dreams, A'oodhu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem, helps Muslims seek Allah’s protection from the fears and evil that come with nightmares. This simple Islamic dua builds trust in Allahand helps calm the heart during hard nights.
Many Muslims use the dua for bad dreams as part of their bedtime prayers to feel safe and protected. Regularly reciting this masnoon dua can bring comfort, reduce fear, and help with peaceful sleep for both kids and adults.