Dua Upon Awakening from a Bad Dream
3 Steps to Take
A frightening dream can leave the heart shaken long after waking, but the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught simple steps that turn away its harm. The dua upon awakening from a bad dream is to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil, who is the source of disturbing dreams. Paired with a few prophetic actions, this dua reassures the believer that a bad dream holds no power over them, for refuge in Allah lifts away its harm entirely.
This guide explains the dua upon awakening from a bad dream, the meaning of seeking refuge in Allah from the devil, and three steps to take, so that the believer may wake from a frightening dream and turn away its harm in the way of the Prophet (pbuh), placing their heart at ease under the protection of Allah.
The Meaning of the Dua Upon Awakening from a Bad Dream
The dua upon awakening from a bad dream is to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. The Prophet (pbuh) taught that a good dream is from Allah, while a frightening one is from the devil, who seeks to grieve and disturb the believer. So when one wakes from a bad dream, the Prophet (pbuh) instructed them to seek refuge in Allah from the devil and from the evil of what they saw, certain that it can bring no harm once entrusted to Allah.
This simple act of seeking refuge restores the heart to peace. A bad dream, however vivid or frightening, is the work of the devil and holds no power over a believer who turns to Allah. The Prophet (pbuh) reassured his companions that a disliked dream will not harm the one who responds in this way, lifting the burden of fear and reminding them that protection rests with Allah alone.
الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَالْحُلْمُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ
Ar-ru’yas-salihatu minallahi wal-hulmu minash-shaytan
A good dream is from Allah and a bad one is from the devil
Three Steps to Take
The Prophet (pbuh) taught clear steps for waking from a bad dream so that no harm follows. These three turn away its effect entirely.
- Seek refuge in Allah from the devil and the evil of what you saw, and spit dryly to your left three times.
- Turn over and change to your other side, leaving the dream behind.
- Do not tell anyone of the dream, and if you wish, rise and pray.
لِيَسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَنْ تَضُرَّهُ
Liyasta‘idh billahi min sharriha fa’innaha lan tadurrah
Seek refuge in Allah from its evil and it will not bring you harm
Placing the Heart at Ease
It is natural to feel shaken after a frightening dream, but the believer need not carry that fear into the day. The dua upon awakening from a bad dream, paired with the steps the Prophet (pbuh) taught, lifts away its harm and places the heart back at ease. By seeking refuge in Allah and following His Prophet’s guidance, the believer turns a disturbing dream into nothing more than a passing whisper of the devil, powerless before the protection of Allah.
This supplication pairs naturally with the dua against nightmares recited before sleep, and the dua for protection from Shaytan. Together they shield the believer’s sleep and dreams, placing the night under the complete protection of Allah, who watches over every sleeper.
A frightening dream is only a whisper of the devil, powerless before refuge in Allah. Learn the protection duas with us on YouTube, where the supplications are recited aloud, on TikTok for a reminder of what to do after a bad dream, and on Pinterest where readers share how they find peace under the protection of Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua upon awakening from a bad dream is A‘udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim, seeking refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. The Prophet (pbuh) taught it because frightening dreams come from the devil.
Seek refuge in Allah from the devil and the evil of what you saw, spit dryly to your left three times, turn to your other side, and do not tell anyone. You may also rise and pray.
The Prophet (pbuh) taught not to relate a frightening dream because it is from the devil and can bring no harm if left untold and entrusted to Allah. Telling it gives it no power, so it is simply left behind.
The Prophet (pbuh) taught that a good dream is from Allah, while a frightening one is from the devil, who seeks to grieve the believer. A bad dream holds no power over one who seeks refuge in Allah.
No, the Prophet (pbuh) reassured that a disliked dream will not harm the one who seeks refuge in Allah and follows his guidance. Refuge in Allah lifts away its harm entirely.
Reciting the dua against nightmares, the Three Quls and Ayat al-Kursi before sleep places the night under the protection of Allah. Sleeping upon wudu and remembrance also guards against frightening dreams.