The last two ayats of Surah Al-Baqarah (verses 285–286) are among the most recited and beloved passages in the Quran. Muslims around the world read them before sleep, after Isha, and during Ramadan — because the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever recites them at night, they will be sufficient (kafat) for him.
Last two ayats — full Arabic, transliteration & English
Aamanar-rasoolu bimaa unzila ilayhi min rabbihi wal-mu'minoon. Kullun aamana billaahi wa malaa'ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi laa nufarriqu bayna ahadim-min rusulihi. Wa qaaloo sami'naa wa ata'naa. Ghufraanaka rabbanaa wa ilaykal-maseer.
English: The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."
Laa yukallifullaahu nafsan illaa wus'ahaa. Lahaa maa kasabat wa 'alayhaa maktasabat. Rabbanaa laa tu'aakhidhnaa in naseenaa aw akhta'naa. Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil 'alaynaa isran kamaa hamaltahu 'alal-ladheena min qablinaa. Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih. Wa'fu 'annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa. Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa 'alal-qawmil-kaafireen.
English: Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we forget or make mistake. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."
Key phrases — word-by-word meaning
| Arabic phrase | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ | Aamanar-rasool | The Messenger believed — affirming the Prophet's ﷺ complete faith |
| لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ | Laa nufarriqu... | We make no distinction between any of His messengers — faith in all prophets equally |
| سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا | Sami'naa wa ata'naa | We hear and we obey — submission to Allah's commands |
| لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا | Laa yukallifu... | Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity — divine mercy in accountability |
| لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا | Laa tu'aakhidhnaa... | Do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake — forgiveness for human error |
| وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا | Wa'fu 'annaa... | Pardon us, forgive us and have mercy on us — the heart of the closing dua |
The authentic hadith — why these ayats matter
Al-Bara ibn Azib (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said about bedtime recitation:
"When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi — Allah will appoint a guardian over you and no shaytan (devil) will come near you until morning. And if you recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, they will be sufficient (kafat) for you."
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5009, Sahih Muslim 807
The word kafat (كَفَتْ) means they will be sufficient — covering protection, reward and whatever the reciter needs for that night. This is why millions of Muslims never sleep without these two ayats.
Ibn Mas'ud (رضي الله عنه) also narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said these two ayats were given to him from a treasure beneath the Throne ('Arsh) — highlighting their extraordinary status among all verses of the Quran.
Benefits of reciting the last two ayats of Surah Baqarah
- Night protection — paired with Ayatul Kursi in the authentic bedtime hadith (Bukhari 5009)
- Forgiveness for forgetfulness and mistakes — the dua explicitly asks Allah not to hold us accountable for nisyan (forgetting) and khata (errors)
- Relief from unbearable burdens — Allah only holds us to what is within our capacity (Quran 2:286)
- Complete affirmation of iman — faith in Allah, angels, books and all messengers without distinction
- Closing dua of the longest surah — Surah Al-Baqarah opens with guidance and closes with mercy and supplication
- General Quran reward — every letter recited earns ten good deeds (Tirmidhi 2910)
When should you recite them?
| Time | Why |
|---|---|
| Before sleep | The primary Sunnah — the hadith specifically mentions "at night" (Bukhari 5009) |
| After Isha prayer | Many Muslims recite them immediately after the night prayer |
| During Ramadan / after Taraweeh | Recited when completing Surah Al-Baqarah in congregation |
| When feeling overwhelmed | Verse 286 reminds us Allah does not burden beyond capacity — recite and make the dua sincerely |
| After completing Surah Al-Baqarah | Traditional practice when finishing a khatm or personal reading of the surah |
Bedtime adhkar — the complete Sunnah routine
The Prophet's ﷺ instruction to Al-Bara ibn Azib gives a clear order for bedtime:
- Perform wudu before sleeping if possible
- Dust the bed lightly with the edge of your garment (Sunnah)
- Lie on your right side
- Recite Ayatul Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255) — protection from Shaytan until morning
- Recite the last two ayats of Surah Al-Baqarah — they will be kafat (sufficient)
- Many also add the three Quls: Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, blowing into the hands and wiping over the body as the Prophet ﷺ did
Understanding the closing dua (verse 286)
Verse 286 is one of the most comprehensive duas in the Quran. It teaches us that:
- Allah is just but merciful — you are only accountable for what is within your ability
- Forgetfulness is human — we ask Allah not to punish us for honest mistakes and lapses of memory
- Previous nations carried heavy burdens — we ask not to be tested like those before us who altered their scriptures and laws
- We admit our limits — "do not burden us with what we cannot bear" is humility before Allah
- We end with mercy — pardon, forgiveness and rahmah, then trust in Allah as our Mawla (Protector)
Recite this dua slowly and mean every word — especially on nights when anxiety, guilt or overwhelm weigh on your heart. Pair it with our guide to duas for anxiety and stress for a complete spiritual toolkit.
How to teach children the last two ayats
- Start with the dua part — verse 286's "Rabbanaa laa tu'aakhidhnaa..." is shorter and more memorable for young children
- Explain simply: "We tell Allah we tried our best, please forgive us if we forgot or made a mistake"
- Listen and repeat — 5–10 minutes daily with a clear recitation builds fluency fast
- Make it a bedtime habit — recite together every night so it becomes automatic like brushing teeth
- Connect to Ayatul Kursi — teach both as the "night protection pair" from the Sunnah
Children who learn these ayats early carry a lifelong shield of protection and a deep connection to the Quran. See also our guides on 20 duas for kids and Surah Mulk before sleep.
Related Quran & dua guides
- Ayatul Kursi — Arabic, English & Benefits
- The 4 Quls — Surah Ikhlas, Falaq & Naas
- Surah Mulk — Benefits & When to Recite
- Dua for Parents — Rabbirhamhuma
- How to Pray Salah Step by Step
Frequently asked questions
What are the last two ayats of Surah Baqarah?+
They are verses 285 and 286 of Surah Al-Baqarah — the closing verses of the longest surah in the Quran. Verse 285 affirms complete faith; verse 286 contains the famous dua asking Allah for forgiveness, mercy and not to burden us beyond our capacity.
What does kafat mean in the hadith?+
Kafat (كَفَتْ) means "they will be sufficient." Scholars explain this covers protection through the night, immense reward, and whatever the believer needs — so reciting these two ayats before sleep is a complete spiritual provision for the night.
Do I recite Ayatul Kursi before or after the last two ayats?+
The hadith of Al-Bara ibn Azib mentions Ayatul Kursi first, then the last two ayats. This is the order most Muslims follow: Ayatul Kursi for protection, then the last two verses as kafat (sufficient).
Can I recite only the dua part (verse 286)?+
The Sunnah is to recite both verses together as the hadith refers to "the last two verses." However, the dua in verse 286 can also be made separately at any time — it is a standalone supplication taught in the Quran itself.