What should I say before sleeping?

The shortest bedtime dua

Hudhaifa reported that when the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would say "Bismika amutu wa ahya" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312). It's four words, easy to memorize in a single evening, and it reminds you that sleep is a kind of small death and waking up is a gift.

A slightly longer one from the same chapter: shake out your bed, then say "Bismika Rabbi wada'tu janbi wa bika arfa'uhu", which begins "In Your name, my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You I raise it" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6320). The full version continues with a request for mercy and protection, and you can read it in a dua app.

What else the Prophet ﷺ did before sleeping

• The three Quls: he cupped his hands, blew into them after reciting al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas, then wiped over his head, face and body, three times (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017). See What are the "three Quls" and when do I read them?
• Ayat al-Kursi: reciting it in bed means a guardian from Allah protects you through the night (Sahih al-Bukhari 5010).
• Tasbih: he taught Ali and Fatima to say "Allahu Akbar", "Subhan Allah" and "Al hamdu lillah" thirty-three times each when going to bed, calling it better for them than a servant (Sahih al-Bukhari 6318). One narrator adds that one of them is said thirty-four times.

Wudu and sleeping on the right side

The Prophet ﷺ told al-Bara to make wudu before bed, lie on his right side and say a longer dua of trust in Allah, adding: "let these words be the last you say" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6311). This dua is long, so read it from "Fortress of the Muslim" (Hisn al-Muslim) or a trusted app rather than guessing the words. These are recommended, not required. Sleeping without wudu or on your other side isn't a sin. See Is it haram to sleep on my stomach?

Building the habit

Don't try to do everything on night one. A realistic order for a new Muslim:

• Week 1: "Bismika amutu wa ahya" only.
• Week 2: add the three Quls and the blowing into your hands.
• Week 3: add the tasbih, counted on your fingers.
• Later: Ayat al-Kursi and the longer duas.

If you fall asleep before finishing, don't worry. Pick up again the next night.