Thus, the birds know their Creator: they set out to seek their sustenance, guided by the innate nature with which Allah has endowed them, a nature that directs them to whatever serves their interests. They leave their nests at dawn and return at day’s end with their crops full—so it goes, day after day. Allah provides for them and makes their provision easy. Consider Allah’s wisdom: these birds travel to distant places yet unerringly find their way back; they never miss their nests, for Allah—Exalted and Majestic—“gave everything its form, then guided it.” Allah alone grants success.

80_ Seventh narration: ʿAbū ʿUmārah al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “O so-and-so, when you retire to your bed, say:

‘O Allah, I have surrendered myself to You, turned my face toward You, entrusted my affairs to You, and relied upon You. Out of longing for You and fear of You—there is no refuge and no deliverance from You except with You—I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet You have sent. If you die in the night, you will die upon the natural disposition, and if you awake in the morning you will attain good.’” Agreed upon.

In another version recorded by al-Bukhārī and Muslim, al-Barāʾ said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed me, “When you lie down, perform ablution as you do for prayer, then recline on your right side and say”—he mentioned similar words—“and make them the last thing you utter.”