Bedtime with a guard from Allah
Why are children often afraid to go to sleep at bedtime? To be left in their rooms as they close their eyes?
There is a certain vulnerability that comes with these actions. When we lay down in our beds, alone, we let our guards down completely. It’s usually dark and our eyes will be closed. We aren’t going to be watching out for ourselves in the state of sleep. I mean, when we sleep, we don’t even realise when we are dribbling on our pillow!
In a child, this vulnerability is multiplied, and their imaginations are far more active than ours.
But if being alone, in the dark, with your eyes closed, when you are asleep makes you feel vulnerable, then take comfort and power from Allah’s protection. Do this before you sleep, and Allah will send down a guard for you, who will stay with you. And no shaytan (or scary monster that your child imagines) will come near.
Recite Ayatul Kursi, which is the greatest ayah in the Quran! A guardian from Allah – an angel – will be sent to you to watch over you while you sleep. Your guard will stay with you till the morning.
So, you are not alone. You are not vulnerable. You are not helpless. Allah is with you. He has sent a mighty guard to be with you to protect you. All protection is with Allah.
Abu Huraira said, “Allah’s Messenger put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan (i.e. Zakat-ul-Fitr). Someone came to me and started scooping some of the foodstuff of (Zakat) with both hands. I caught him and told him that I would take him to Allah’s Messenger Then Abu Huraira told the whole narration and added “He (i.e. the thief) said, ‘Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of “Al-Kursi” (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn.’ ” On that the Prophet said, “He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Satan.”
Recite Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq and Surah Nas.
Narrated ‘Aisha: Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times.
Of course, there are many more Sunnahs to include as part of your routine before sleeping!
Post written by children's author, Zanib Mian. Check out our range of Islamic books for children by this author.
