This week’s reminder was inspired by a social media post I came across encouraging us to reflect on our day each night. It highlighted that our connection with Allah should grow stronger with every passing day. Before we sleep, we should remember the possibility that we might not wake up and strive to end our day with actions that draw Allah’s mercy.

اللهم لا تأخذني من هذه الدنيا إلا وأنت راض عني

“O Allah, do not take me from this world unless You are pleased with me.”

We are all sinners, but Allah loves a specific type of sinner—the one who turns back to Him after slipping. Slipping is part of life, but it should not hold us back. A practical way to keep ourselves in check, no matter how our day has gone, is to ensure that our last actions before sleeping are positive.

A Warning from the Prophet ﷺ

“Hasten to do good deeds before a trial occurs like portions of a dark night. A man will wake in the morning as a believer but become a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening but become a disbeliever by morning. He will sell his religion for worldly gain.” (Tirmidhī)

This narration reminds us how certain actions can negatively shape our ultimate fate. Hence, it’s essential to consciously evaluate and correct ourselves each night.

Positive End-of-Day Practices

Don’t let disobedience be the last thing you do before drifting off to sleep. Instead, strive to end each day on a positive note. Recite some Quran, listen to an inspiring lecture, or read something beneficial.

Turn off the light on your room, not with the weight of a sin, but with the satisfaction of a good deed. No matter how challenging your day may have been, let the last act before sleep be an act of obedience. Remember, we never know if we’ll wake up again.

Sunnah Nightly Practices

Here are some practices we can incorporate into our nightly routine, following the example of our beloved Prophet ﷺ:

• Recite Sūrah al-Mulk – It protects from the punishment of the grave (Nasāʾī).
• Recite Āyah al-Kursī – An angel is appointed to guard you through the night, and no devil can approach you until morning (Bukhārī).
• Recite the following supplication for forgiveness before sleeping (Ibn al-Sunnī):

By ending our day in obedience, we can rest with a sense of security, knowing we have taken a step closer to Allah’s pleasure.