What are the morning and evening adhkar (remembrances) and their virtues?
Answered with evidence from the Quran and authentic Hadith
Quick Answer
The morning adhkar are recited after Fajr prayer until sunrise, and the evening adhkar after Asr prayer until sunset. They include Ayatul Kursi, the last two verses of Al-Baqarah, Surah Al-Ikhlas + Al-Falaq + An-Nas (3x), and specific duas. They provide protection, expiate sins, and are among the most rewarding acts a Muslim can do daily.
Detailed Answer
The morning and evening adhkar (al-adhkar al-sabahiyya wal-masa'iyya) are a collection of duas and remembrances the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught for specific times of day. They are among the most important daily acts of worship for a Muslim.
Key morning adhkar (after Fajr until sunrise): (1) Ayatul Kursi — the Prophet said whoever recites it after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents them from entering Paradise except death. (2) Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas — three times each. The Prophet said these are sufficient for everything. (3) "Subhanallahi wa bihamdih" 100 times — erases sins even if they are like the foam of the sea. (4) Sayyid al-Istighfar (the master supplication for forgiveness). (5) The dua: "Allahumma anta rabbi la ilaha illa ant..." — whoever says it with certainty in the morning and dies that day enters Paradise.
Key evening adhkar (after Asr until sunset): The same core duas as the morning, with some additions: "A'oodhu bikalimatiLlahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq" (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created) — three times; whoever says this will not be harmed by anything that night. Also recommended at night: the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285-286) — the Prophet (peace be upon him) said "whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him" (Bukhari 5009).
The virtues of maintaining the adhkar are extraordinary: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said they are better than freeing a slave and better than coming to battle with a sword. A Muslim who maintains these remembrances consistently is in a constant state of worship throughout the day.
Evidence from Quran & Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever says 'Subhanallahi wa bihamdih' one hundred times a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about Ayatul Kursi: "Whoever recites it after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death."
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
Ya ayyuhal-ladheena amanudh-kurullaha dhikran katheera. Wa sabbihoohu bukratan wa aseela.
“O you who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon.”
Key Points
- ✦The morning and evening adhkar (al-adhkar al-sabahiyya wal-masa'iyya) are a collection of duas and remembrances the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught for specific times of day.
- ✦Key morning adhkar (after Fajr until sunrise): (1) Ayatul Kursi — the Prophet said whoever recites it after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents them from entering Paradise except death.
- ✦Key evening adhkar (after Asr until sunset): The same core duas as the morning, with some additions: "A'oodhu bikalimatiLlahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq" (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created) — three times; whoever says this will not be harmed by anything that night.
- ✦The virtues of maintaining the adhkar are extraordinary: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said they are better than freeing a slave and better than coming to battle with a sword.
Related Questions
What are the obligatory parts (arkan) and sunnah acts of prayer?
The obligatory pillars (arkan) of prayer include: the opening takbir, standing (qiyam), reciting Al-Fatihah, bowing (ruku), rising from ruku, two prostrations (sujud), sitting between sujud, the final tashahhud, and the closing salam. Omitting any of these invalidates the prayer. Sunnah acts — like reciting a surah after Al-Fatihah — are rewarded but their omission does not invalidate the prayer.
Can you do Tayammum (dry ablution) instead of wudu or ghusl?
Yes. Tayammum (dry ablution using clean earth/dust/sand) is permitted when water is not available, when using water would cause harm (severe illness, extreme cold, medical condition), or when water is needed for drinking. It replaces both wudu and ghusl and is valid for prayer until water becomes available.
What is the ruling on skipping the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah)?
Friday prayer (Jumu'ah) is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for every free, adult, sane Muslim male who is not traveling and has no valid excuse. Missing it three consecutive times without excuse is a major sin, and the Prophet warned it seals the heart. Women, travelers, the ill, and those with genuine emergencies are excused.
Does drawing blood or receiving an injection break the fast?
Drawing blood for a test does NOT break the fast according to the majority of scholars. A non-nutritional injection (painkiller, antibiotic, vaccine) does NOT break the fast according to most contemporary scholars. A nutritional IV drip DOES break the fast. When in doubt, delay injections until iftar if possible.
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Note: This answer is based on the Quran and authentic Hadith for general guidance. For detailed rulings on your specific situation, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar. May Allah guide us all to the truth.