Busy mornings, school runs, work, homework, dinner, bedtime… How can a Muslim family stay connected to Allah every day? One of the simplest ways is the morning and evening adhkar – short words of remembrance that take only a few minutes but protect and bless our day.
Why Morning and Evening?
Allah says: "And exalt (Him) with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting." (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:130). The morning adhkar are said after Fajr until sunrise, and the evening adhkar after 'Asr until Maghrib (or into the night). Even if you miss the best time, saying them later is still good.
1. Ayat al-Kursi
Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255) is the greatest verse in the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever recites it before sleeping will have a protector from Allah through the night (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2311). Many families also recite it in the morning and evening.
2. The Three "Quls" – Three Times
Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas three times each in the morning and evening. The Prophet ﷺ said they will suffice you against everything (Sunan Abi Dawud 5082, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3575). Children usually know these surahs – a perfect start!
3. SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi – 100 Times
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi – "Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him." The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever says it one hundred times a day will have his sins forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6405).
4. Seeking Forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh – "I seek Allah's forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance." The Prophet ﷺ used to seek forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6307).
5. Protection in Allah's Name – Three Times
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i wa huwas-sami'ul-'alim – "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Sunan Abi Dawud 5088, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3388)
How to Make It a Family Habit
- Morning: say them together in the car on the way to school.
- Evening: after Maghrib, before screens go on.
- Print a small card and keep it by the door or on the fridge.
- Start with one dhikr and add more each week.
Recite the Quran Correctly
Ayat al-Kursi and the three Quls should be recited with correct pronunciation. Tehfiz-ul-Quran Academy offers one-on-one online Tajweed classes for all ages. Book a 3-day free trial.