The Special Words
Laila cannot fall asleep until her mother teaches her the dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for bedtime, in a gentle audiobook for young children.
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What is The Special Words about?
The Special Words is an Islamic audiobook for children about Laila, a little girl who cannot fall asleep, and the short dua her mother teaches her to say at bedtime.
It is bedtime, but Laila tosses and turns. She tries to wake Fat Cat, who only opens one sleepy eye, and Bertie Birdie, who keeps his eyes tightly shut. Even Mr and Mrs Fishy-Wishy, who never sleep, only flap their fins at her. Everything is quiet and still, and even the moon and the stars look fast asleep. So Laila tries counting sheep, as her friend Sarah told her to at school, until the fourth sheep crashes to the ground and her eyes are wide open again.
At last she goes to Mama, who tucks her back into bed and tells her one story: about a little girl just like her, who tried everything to fall asleep, until her mother taught her some special words. The words are the dua the Prophet ﷺ taught us to say before we sleep, Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya: in Your name, O Allah, I die and I live. Laila repeats it and decides to say it every night. Mama tells her that the Prophet ﷺ taught many more duas for sleep, which she will learn as she grows, and Laila sleeps soundly until morning.
Written by Lisha Azad, illustrated by Azra Momin and read by Paul Panting, the story is about 6 minutes long and music-free. It is a gentle way to bring a sunnah into a child's bedtime routine.
What your child will learn
- The Prophet ﷺ taught us a short dua to say before we sleep.
- We can turn to Allah at bedtime, and when we cannot rest.
- When we have a problem, we can ask our parents for help.
- Saying a dua every night is a sunnah we can practise from a young age.
Where this audiobook comes from
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6324: When the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he said, "Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya" (In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live).
Talk about it afterwards
- What did Laila try before she went to talk to Mama?
- What were the special words that Mama taught her?
- Why do you think saying a dua helped Laila feel calm?
- What do you say or do before you go to sleep?
Words to know
- Dua
- Calling on Allah and asking Him for what we need, in our own words or in the words the Prophet ﷺ taught.
- Sunnah
- The way of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, what he said and did, which Muslims follow.
- Insha'Allah
- If Allah wills.
Frequently asked questions
What does The Special Words teach children?
It teaches the short dua the Prophet ﷺ said before he slept, Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya, and shows a child using it to settle down at bedtime.
How long is The Special Words?
About 6 minutes.
Does The Special Words have music?
No. It is music-free.
