Looking for the shortest and easiest dua to recite before sleeping in Islam?

Answer:

The easiest and shortest authentic dua to recite before sleeping is:

بِسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
Bismika Allāhumma amūtu wa aḥyā
"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."

Evidence (Sahih Hadith):

• Narrated by Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him): "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to sleep, he would say: Bismika Allāhumma amūtu wa aḥyā." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312, Sahih Muslim 2711)

Why This Dua?

• It is the shortest (only four words in Arabic) and easiest to memorize.
• It is directly from the Prophet ﷺ with constant practice.
• It contains tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and acknowledgment of life and death.

Shafi‘i Rulings:

• Imam al-Nawawi in Al-Adhkar (p. 76) records this dhikr and confirms its recommended (mustahabb) status.
• In Al-Majmu‘ (vol. 4, p. 469), he includes it among the adkār of sleeping, citing its authenticity.
• Imam al-Rafi‘i and Ibn Hajar al-Haytami also approve of this dua as the minimum recommended.
• Note: It is sunnah to also recite Ayat al-Kursi, Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas, and Subhanallah (33x), Alhamdulillah (33x), Allahu Akbar (34x) – but the question asks for the shortest and easiest, which is the Bismika dua.

Method:

• Say it just before closing your eyes, after making wudu if possible.
• No specific time limit; simply recite with sincerity.

Additional Short Option (if preferred):

• Simply say "Bismillah" and sleep on your right side, as mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari (247) – the Prophet ﷺ said: "When you go to bed, perform ablution, lie on your right side, and say: Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka…" But the Bismika dua is even shorter.