We learned to take care of our health and well-being from the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Even while we try our hardest to lead healthy lives free from illnesses, we may still need some Dua for Healing as there are still a number of reasons why we could get sick occasionally, such as allergies or bad weather.
Being unwell is difficult, but Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) has informed us that Allah would partially atone for a sick person’s misdeeds. According to Abu Hurayrah r.a. and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, the Prophet s.a.w. said:
No tiredness, exhaustion, worry, grief, distress or harm befalls a believer in this world, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allah expiates some of his sins thereby.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
It is preferable to prevent than to cure. When we do become ill, though, we must find the greatest treatment. Says the Prophet (s.a.w.):
Allah has sent down the disease and the cure and has made for every disease the cure.
(Sunan Abi Daud)
We must turn to Him for assistance by making dua for healing and shifa, in addition to medical care, as He is the only one who has the power to save lives and heal sicknesses.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Allah SWT did not send down any disease but that he also sent down the cure.” Throughout numerous hadith, the Prophet ﷺ invokes the healing power of Qur’anic verses to beg Allah to heal him and his companions. These conditions range from physical disorders to less obvious problems like depression and anxiety.
In addition to recommending the use of nutrition and treatment, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized the need to call upon Allah, make dua and utilize His words as a means of healing in both his deeds and words. Allah frequently refers to the Qur’an as huda, or guidance, and Shifaa, or a source of healing.
Allah and His Messenger ﷺ really provided us with a breakdown of holistic treatment by combining contemporary science, diet, exercise, and the healing powers of dua and the Qur’an.
What the Quran says about Healing (Shifa)
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
O humanity! Indeed, there has come to you a warning from your Lord, a cure for what is in the hearts, a guide, and a mercy for the believers. [Quran 10:57]
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا
We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers, but it only increases the wrongdoers in loss. [Quran 17:82]
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ
And declare (O Muhammad) that [the Quran] is a guidance and healing for the believers. [Quran 41:44]
Healing Verses in the Qur’an:
1) Three Quls
The three Quls (Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas) are said as part of every day’s adhkar in the morning and evening, and there are several narratives about their healing ability. They are said to be a remedy for and protection against physical illnesses and the evil eye. It is also said that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) read the Quls during his last illness.
Aisha (ra) said: “Whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went to bed, he used to recite Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq and Surat an-Nas and then blow on his palms and pass them over his face and those parts of his body that his hands could reach. And when he fell ill, he used to order me to do like that for him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
2) Surah Al Fatiha
Because of its many benefits, Surah Al-Fatihah is frequently referred to as Umm Al Qur’an or the Mother of the Qur’an. In addition to being recited repeatedly during our daily prayers, it is recommended as ruqyah, or healing by the Qur’an. In one story, the Prophet ﷺ’s companion repeated it over a scorpion bite that Allah SWT subsequently cured. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) smiled and asked him: “How did you know that Surah Al-Fatihah is ruqyah?”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
3) Proof of the healing properties of fruit and honey:
ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ
لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
and feed from ˹the flower of˺ any fruit ˹you please˺ and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you.” From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colours, in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect.
(Quran 16:69)
Duas when Visiting the Sick:
4. When visiting the sick
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reminded the sick that Allah would forgive them for any suffering or discomfort they experience in this world. He would say:
لاَ بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ الله
La Ba’s(a), Tahoor(un), In Sha Allah
[This is] not harmful. Rather, it is a means of purification, if Allāh Wills.
[Sahih al-Bukhāri, no. 3616, 5656]
5. On visiting the sick:
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also said: “He who visits a sick person who is not on the point of death and supplicates seven times:
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيْكَ
As’alullahal-‘Azima Rabbal-‘Arshil-‘Azimi, an yashfiyaka
I ask Almighty Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to make you well.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]
6. In one of the Hadith
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever among you suffers some sickness, or his brother suffers some sickness, let him say:
رَبَّنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ تَقَدَّسَ اسْمُكَ أَمْرُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ كَمَا رَحْمَتُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَاجْعَلْ رَحْمَتَكَ فِي الأَرْضِ اغْفِرْ لَنَا حُوبَنَا وَخَطَايَانَا أَنْتَ رَبُّ الطَّيِّبِينَ أَنْزِلْ رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ وَشِفَاءً مِنْ شِفَائِكَ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَجَعِ فَيَبْرَأُ
Rabbana-Allahullazi fis-samaai taqoddasas-muka amruka fis-samaai wal-ardhi kamaa rohmatuka fis-samaai faj-al rohmataka fil-ardhi. Ighfir lanaa huubanaa wa khotoyaanaa anta rabbut-toyyibeen. Anzil rohmatan min rohmatika wa shifaan min shifaaika ‘alaa haazal-waja’i fa-yabra’
Our Lord is Allah Who is in the heaven, holy is Thy name, Thy command reigns supreme in the heaven and the earth, as Thy mercy in the heaven, make Thy mercy in the earth; forgive us our sins, and our errors; Thou art the Lord of good men; send down mercy from Thy mercy, and remedy, and remedy from Thy remedy on this pain so that it is healed up.
[Sunan Abi Dawud 3892]
Duas for Healing (Shifa) in the Sunnah:
7. Dua when in Pain:
Ayesha (ra) said that when any one of his companions had an illness, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would rub the area of pain and recite:
أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءٌ لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمَاً
Adhibil ba’sa Rabb an-naas Ishfi antash-shaafii la shifa’aa illa shifa-uka shifa-un la yughadiru saqaman
Take away the hardship, O Lord of mankind, give shifa, You are the One who cures, there is no shifa except Your shifa, a cure that will not leave any sickness.
[Muslim and al-Bukhari]
8. Dua for sickness:
Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) advised a sick person to put their hand where they are hurting, recite bismillah three times, and then recite seven times:
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
a`udhu billāhi wa qudratihi min sharri maa ajidu wa uhadhiru
I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend.
[Muslim]
9. Dua of Prophet Ayyub (as) when he was sick:
رَبِّي أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Rabbi annee massaniyad-durru wa-anta arhamur-raahimeen
My Lord. Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.
Duas for Goodness:
10. Dua for Goodness:
The Prophet (SAW) also advised his companions to pray for goodness (healing) and better health by saying:
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Rabbana aatina fiddunya hasanatan wafil akhirati hasanatan waqina adhabannaar
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
[Muslim and al-Bukhari]
11. The Dua of Prophet Musa (AS)
Musa (AS) also prays to Allah for goodness, which can imply anything you wish for it to mean:
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Rabbi ‘inni limaa ‘anzalta ‘ilayya min khairin-faqeer
My Lord! I am indeed in need of any good You may send down to me!
[Quran 28:24]
Conclusion:
Duas are important in every aspect of Life. We make dua for everything on a daily basis, be it dua for stress, dua for fasting, dua for success, dua for forgiveness etc. etc. These Dua for Shifa and healing help you in a spiritual way, when materialistic things don’t help. The verses of the Quran and the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provide a roadmap for believers seeking solace and restoration. The essence lies not only in the words recited but in the sincerity, faith, and trust with which these supplications are uttered.
In times of adversity, the believer finds comfort in the remembrance of Allah, realizing that true healing encompasses not only the body but the heart, mind, and spirit. The Duas highlighted in this article are not merely incantations; they are a means of forging a deep connection with the Divine, a source of strength that enables the believer to navigate the trials of life with grace and resilience. As we immerse ourselves in these sacred words, let us remember the profound wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who declared, “The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: ‘Ameen! May it be for you, too.'” (Sahih Muslim). May our collective Dua be a source of healing, mercy, and blessings for all of humanity.
When you read these Dua for Healing, May Allah provide goodness and healing upon you and your loved ones in all areas of your lives where you require it.
These were all of the Dua for Healing (Shifa). Read more Helpful Duas or follow on social media for daily Islamic reminders.
