O Allah, by You we have reached the morning, and by You we have reached the evening; by You we live, and by You we die, and to You is the Resurrection

Arabic text

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ: «اللهُمَّ بِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا، وَبِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا، وَبِكَ نَحْيَا، وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ» وَإِذَا أَمْسَى قَالَ: «بِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا، وَبِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا، وَبِكَ نَحْيَا، وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ» قَالَ: وَمَرَّةً أُخْرَى: «وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ».

Translation

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): Upon reaching the morning, he used to say: "O Allah, by You we have reached the morning, and by You we have reached the evening; by You we live, and by You we die, and to You is the Resurrection." Upon reaching the evening, he would say: "By You we have reached the evening, and by You we have reached the morning, by You we live, and by You we die, and to You is the resurrection." He said: And another time: "And to You is the final destination.".

Explanation

Upon reaching the morning, i.e., the early part of the day, with the break of dawn, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to say: (O Allah, by You we have reached the morning) enjoying Your protection, overwhelmed with Your Favor, preoccupied with remembering You, seeking help with Your name, encompassed by Your guidance, and proceeding with Your might and strength. (And by You we have reached the evening, by You we live, and by You we die), i.e., like the previous wording along with reciting it in the evening saying: O Allah, by You we have reached the evening. So, by Your name, the Bestower of Life, we live, and by Your name, the Bringer of Death, we die. (And to You is the Resurrection), the return to life after death, and the separation after assembly. We continue like this at all times and in all situations, and I will never stop or leave it. Upon reaching the evening, right after ‘Asr, he would say: (O Allah, by You we have reached the evening, and by You we have reached the morning, by You we live, and by You we die, and to You is the final destination), the return in this world, and the return in the Hereafter, as it is You Who give me life and it is You Who cause me to die.

Benefits

• It is recommended to recite this supplication in the morning and the evening following the example of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
• The slave needs his Lord in all situations and at all times.
• What is preferable in reciting the Adhkār (regular supplications) in the morning: from the break of dawn until sunrise in the early morning, and from the time after ‘Asr (afternoon) until just before sunset. If one happens to say them after such times, i.e., in the morning after the rise of Duha (forenoon), it will be sufficient for him, and if he says them after Zhuhr, it will be sufficient for him, and if he says them after Maghrib, it will be sufficient for him, as this is a time for making Dhikr.
• His saying "And to You is the Resurrection" is suitable for the morning, as it reminds him of the major Resurrection when people die and are resurrected on the Day of Judgment. Similarly, it is a new return to life, a new day on which the souls are returned, people go in different directions, and this new morning that is created by Allah breathes to be a witness upon the son of Adam, and its times and periods act as a safe deposit to keep our deeds.
• His saying "and to You is the final destination" is suitable for the evening, as it is the time when people return from their work and from going around seeking their interests and living. They return to their homes and resort to rest after being dispersed. This reminds one of returning to Allah Almighty, to Whom the return and the final destination will be.

Topics

• Virtues and Manners
• Jurisprudence of Supplications and Remembrance of Allah
• Morning and Evening Dhikr