The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "The likeness of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like the living and the dead." (Bukhari). The morning and evening Azkar are the structured practice that keeps that remembrance alive — a daily habit so powerful that the Prophet ﷺ was never known to abandon it, even during illness, travel, or times of great difficulty.
This guide gives you everything in one place — every authentic Azkar with full Arabic text, transliteration for non-Arabic readers, meaning in plain English, the number of times to recite each one, its hadith source, and its specific benefit or protection. Start with three or four and build from there. Within weeks, the morning and evening Azkar will be the most grounding part of your day.
Quick Answer — What are Azkar? Azkar (أذكار) are specific supplications and phrases of remembrance of Allah prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The morning Azkar are recited after Fajr prayer until sunrise; the evening Azkar after Asr prayer until Maghrib. They include Quranic verses (Ayat al-Kursi, the three Quls), specific duas, Tasbeeh (Subhanallah × 33), Tahmid (Alhamdulillah × 33), Takbir (Allahu Akbar × 33) and Sayyid al-Istighfar. Together they provide protection, spiritual grounding, and a direct connection to Allah throughout every day.
Why the Morning and Evening Azkar Are Among the Most Important Acts of Worship
In the Quran, Allah commands: "Remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on your sides." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:103). And: "And remember your Lord much and exalt His praise in the evening and the morning." (Surah Al-Imran, 3:41). The morning and evening Azkar are the structured, time-bound form of this continuous remembrance — a practice that the Prophet ﷺ structured specifically to give Muslims maximum protection and connection with Allah at the two most critical transitions of every day.
Islamic scholars explain that morning and evening are spiritually significant moments: the morning is when the day's journey begins and its provisions are set; the evening is when the day ends and the night's journey begins. Surrounding these transitions with conscious remembrance of Allah is not ritual — it is orientation. It is the Muslim's daily act of saying: I begin this day in Your name, and I end it in Your remembrance.
Whoever recites Subhana Allahi wa bihamdihi one hundred times in the morning and one hundred times in the evening, no one will come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better — except someone who said the same or more.
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih Muslim)The 5 Key Benefits of Daily Azkar
- Divine protection throughout the day and night: Multiple authenticated hadiths confirm that specific Azkar (Ayat al-Kursi, the three Quls, certain morning duas) provide comprehensive protection from Shaytan, harm, and calamity.
- Forgiveness of sins: Sayyid al-Istighfar, recited with sincerity in the morning or evening, is described by the Prophet ﷺ as guaranteeing Paradise for anyone who recites it and dies that day/night.
- Contentment and psychological peace: Research and centuries of Islamic experience confirm that structured daily dhikr produces measurable reductions in anxiety, fear, and existential distress — consistent with the Quranic statement "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28).
- Immense reward with minimal time: Many Azkar carry rewards described as equivalent to freeing slaves, filling the scales of good deeds, or planting trees in Paradise — for recitations that take only seconds to complete.
- Spiritual shield for the family: The Prophet ﷺ taught Azkar specifically for the protection of family members, home, and property — making the daily Azkar an act of worship that extends its benefit to everyone under your care.
When and How to Recite the Azkar
Morning Azkar — Time Window
The morning Azkar should be recited after Fajr prayer and before sunrise. The ideal is to remain seated on your prayer mat immediately after the Fajr prayer and complete the Azkar before standing. The time window extends until the sun reaches its zenith (Dhuhr time), though the earlier the better. Scholars unanimously agree that reciting them in the hour after Fajr is most virtuous and most consistent with the Prophet's ﷺ practice.
Evening Azkar — Time Window
The evening Azkar should be recited after Asr prayer and before Maghrib. The window extends technically until midnight (Isha time at the latest, according to most scholars), but the strongest practice is to complete them before Maghrib enters. Some scholars consider the evening Azkar time to begin from the afternoon when the sun begins its descent — making the period after Asr prayer the most virtuous time.
If you miss the morning Azkar (for example, you slept past Fajr), recite them whenever you wake, with the intention of making up what you missed. Missing the window does not make the Azkar worthless — recite them as soon as you remember. Consistency over perfection is the goal. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are small." (Bukhari & Muslim).
How to Recite — Practical Method
- Remain in your prayer space immediately after Fajr (morning) or Asr (evening) — before engaging with your phone, family conversations, or any worldly matter.
- Face the Qibla if possible, seated in a comfortable position. Many scholars recommend remaining in the Tashahhud position or simply sitting comfortably cross-legged.
- Recite with presence and understanding — not mechanically rushing through phrases. Understand what you are saying. If you do not know Arabic, read the meaning before beginning so the words carry weight as you recite them.
- Count using your fingers (the Sunnah method — right hand only, using finger segments) or a Tasbeeh counter. The Prophet ﷺ specifically instructed using the right hand fingers for counting Tasbeeh.
- Speak at a normal voice level — not whispering silently, not loudly. The Azkar are recited at a volume audible to yourself.
Complete Morning Azkar — After Fajr Prayer
The following Azkar are all authenticated from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They are presented in the order most commonly followed by scholars and in a sequence that builds from Quranic recitation to specific protective duas to general Tasbeeh.
"Remember Allah often so that you may succeed." — Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:10
Reciting the Azkar correctly requires knowing the Arabic. Our one-to-one Quran classes teach you to read and pronounce every Arabic word perfectly — so your Azkar carries the full weight of its meaning. Book 3 free trial classes today.
Book 3 Free Trial Classes Ijazah-certified teachers · All ages · No card requiredComplete Evening Azkar — After Asr Prayer
The evening Azkar mirror the morning Azkar in structure, with several differences in wording that reflect the transition from day to night. Recite these after Asr prayer, ideally before Maghrib enters.
Additional Important Azkar for Specific Occasions
Beyond the structured morning and evening Azkar, the Prophet ﷺ taught specific duas for virtually every activity of daily life. These are not replacements for the morning and evening Azkar — they supplement them, creating a continuous thread of Allah's remembrance throughout every waking hour.
Azkar Before Sleeping
Recite Ayat al-Kursi × 1, then the three Quls (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas) × 3 each, blowing into cupped hands and wiping over the body starting from the face. Then recite: Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya ("O Allah, in Your name I die and I live"). The Prophet ﷺ never slept without these Azkar. They provide complete protection throughout the night and make the sleep itself an act of worship.
Dua When Entering the Home
Bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'ala Rabbina tawakkalna — "In the name of Allah we enter, in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we place our trust." The Prophet ﷺ said that when this is said upon entering, Shaytan says to his companions: "You have no place to stay here tonight and no supper." A home where this dua is recited consistently becomes a place of barakah.
Dua Before and After Eating
Before: Bismillah — "In the name of Allah." If you forget to say it at the beginning, say upon remembering: Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirih — "In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end." After eating: Alhamdulillahil-ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana Muslimin — "All praise is for Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us Muslims." These duas make every meal an act of worship and bring barakah into the food.
Dua for Entering and Leaving the Mosque
Entering: Allahumma-ftah li abwaba rahmatik — "O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy." Leaving: Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik — "O Allah, I ask You from Your bounty." Right foot enters the mosque first; left foot exits first. These duas frame every visit to the house of Allah as a purposeful spiritual journey, not merely a physical one.
How to Build the Daily Azkar Habit — A 4-Week Plan
The biggest barrier to consistent Azkar is not lack of desire — it is lack of system. Muslims who try to recite all the Azkar from the first day often feel overwhelmed and give up within a week. The following 4-week progressive approach builds the habit gradually, using the psychological principle of habit stacking — attaching the new Azkar to existing established prayers.
| Week | Morning Addition | Evening Addition | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Ayat al-Kursi × 1, Three Quls × 3 each | Same as morning | ~4 minutes each |
| Week 2 | Add Azkar 5 and 6 (sovereignty and dependence duas) | Add evening equivalents | ~7 minutes each |
| Week 3 | Add Sayyid al-Istighfar and wellbeing dua | Add evening equivalents | ~10 minutes each |
| Week 4 | Add Tasbeeh (Subhana Allahi wa bihamdih × 100 + 33+33+33) | Same closing Tasbeeh | ~16–18 minutes each |
The single most effective Azkar habit tip: Stay on your prayer mat after Fajr and after Asr. The moment you stand and move to your phone or begin talking, the mental context for Azkar is broken. Five minutes seated after each prayer — before any worldly engagement — is the keystone habit that makes consistent Azkar possible. Everything else follows from this one decision.
Teaching Children the Daily Azkar
Children who grow up reciting Azkar develop a natural, habitual relationship with Allah's remembrance that persists into adulthood far more effectively than habits acquired later in life. The following approach introduces children to Azkar in a way that feels joyful rather than obligatory:
- Begin with what they know: Most children already know Bismillah and Alhamdulillah from daily use. Build from these familiar phrases to the three Quls (which most children learning Quran know from their Juz Amma). These form the core of both morning and evening Azkar.
- Make it a family ritual: Children imitate what they see adults value. If the family prays together and then sits for Azkar together — even briefly — children absorb this as a natural part of the day's rhythm. A family Azkar session of even 3 minutes after Fajr has lifelong impact.
- Use the finger-counting Sunnah: Teaching children to count on their right-hand fingers for Tasbeeh (33 Subhanallah, 33 Alhamdulillah, 34 Allahu Akbar) engages them physically and connects them to the prophetic method. Children often find finger-counting more engaging than a Tasbeeh counter.
- Teach the meaning alongside the words: A child who knows that Subhanallah means "Glory be to Allah" and understands what glory means engages with the word at a completely different level than one who recites it mechanically. Connect each phrase to a simple, age-appropriate concept.
"And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing." — Surah Al-Ankabut 29:45
Reciting these Azkar with beautiful, correct Arabic pronunciation multiplies their impact. Our Quran classes teach you to read every Arabic word perfectly — from Ayat al-Kursi to Sayyid al-Istighfar. Join 300+ students worldwide.
View Our Courses Or book 3 free trial classes — no card requiredFrequently Asked Questions About Azkar
Azkar (أذكار) is the plural of Dhikr, meaning remembrance of Allah. In Islamic practice, Azkar refers to specific supplications prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ for particular times — most importantly morning (after Fajr) and evening (after Asr). They include Quranic verses (Ayat al-Kursi, Three Quls), Tasbeeh (Subhanallah), Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and specific duas. Reciting them is a Sunnah Muakkadah — a strongly emphasised practice the Prophet ﷺ was consistent in performing throughout his life.
Morning Azkar should be recited after Fajr prayer and before sunrise. The ideal time is immediately after Fajr while still seated on the prayer mat. The window extends until Dhuhr time, but the closer to Fajr the better. Stay on your prayer mat right after Fajr — before engaging with phone, conversations, or any worldly matter — and complete the Azkar in that sitting.
Evening Azkar should be recited after Asr prayer and before Maghrib. The window extends to midnight (Isha at the latest), but before Maghrib is most virtuous and most consistent with the Prophet's ﷺ practice. After Asr — ideally remaining on the prayer mat — complete the evening Azkar before standing and engaging with the evening's activities.
Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255) is the most powerful verse in the Quran. Recite it: after every obligatory prayer, once in morning Azkar, once in evening Azkar, and before sleeping. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death." (Nasai). When recited in the morning, Shaytan cannot come near until evening; when recited in the evening, protection lasts until morning.
The rewards described in authentic hadiths are extraordinary. Subhana Allahi wa bihamdih × 100 in morning and evening: "No one will come on Judgement Day with anything better" (Muslim). Sayyid al-Istighfar recited with certainty: Paradise guaranteed if you die that day/night (Bukhari). The three Quls × 3: sufficient protection for everything (Abu Dawud). The post-prayer Tasbeeh: sins forgiven even if as many as the foam of the sea (Muslim).
The complete set takes approximately 15–20 minutes each. A minimal but authentic set (Ayat al-Kursi, Three Quls × 3, one dua, and Tasbeeh) takes 5–8 minutes. With daily practice, the Arabic phrases become deeply familiar and the full set narrows to 10–12 minutes naturally. Start with 3–4 duas and build up gradually using the 4-week plan above.
The specific Azkar from the Prophet ﷺ should be recited in Arabic to preserve their exact wording and blessing. Personal supplementary dua can be in any language. For those who don't yet know the Arabic, read the meaning before beginning so the words carry their full weight. Learning the Arabic of the Azkar is strongly recommended — most phrases are short and memorisable within days. See our Arabic alphabet guide as a starting point.
The three Quls are Surahs Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114) — each beginning with the word "Qul" (Say). The Prophet ﷺ instructed reciting each three times in the morning and three times in the evening. Al-Ikhlas describes Allah's absolute oneness (equivalent to one-third of the Quran in reward per recitation). Al-Falaq provides protection from all external harm. An-Nas provides protection from Shaytan's whispers. Together they provide comprehensive spiritual protection for the day and night.
Conclusion — Make the Azkar the Frame of Every Day
The morning and evening Azkar are among the most accessible and most rewarding acts of worship available to a Muslim. They require no special space, no financial cost, no physical ability beyond the ability to sit and speak. They take 10 to 20 minutes. And they provide protection, forgiveness, reward, and connection to Allah that scholars describe as incomparable in their return for the time invested.
The Prophet ﷺ never abandoned them. In illness, in travel, in times of joy and grief — the Azkar framed every day of his life. The Companions understood this as the practice of a man who knew — with absolute certainty — that there was nothing more valuable he could do with those minutes each morning and evening.
Start today. One Azkar. Then three. Then the full set. Build the habit with the 4-week plan above. And trust that every phrase of remembrance — even the briefest Subhanallah — is heard, recorded, and rewarded by the One you are addressing.
Allah ﷻ says: "So remember Me; I will remember you." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:152). Every Azkar you recite is an act of remembering Allah — and His promise is that He will remember you in return. There is no greater honour than to be in the remembrance of the Lord of the Worlds.