Islam is a complete code of life that provides guidance at every stage of human life. Illness and health are both a test and a mercy from Allah Almighty. When a person is sick, while medical treatment has been emphasized, the importance of supplicating to Allah Almighty and seeking spiritual healing has also been emphasized.
In Islam, illness is not just a pain, but a means of forgiveness of sins and elevation of status. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whatever fatigue, illness, worry, sorrow, pain or distress befalls a Muslim, even if it is pricked by a thorn, Allah Almighty expiates his sins in return.” (Sahih Bukhari)
In this article, we will discuss in detail the various prayers for the healing of the sick, their etiquette, and related hadiths in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Duas for Healing from the Holy Quran
The Holy Quran itself is a “healing”. Allah Almighty says: And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers.
Surah Al-Fatihah
In the event of illness, reciting the Holy Quran, especially Surah Fatiha, and performing the breath is proven by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and is called “Ruqyah” (Shari’a breath).
Surah Fatiha has been given many names in the hadiths, one of which is “Surah Al-Shifa”. According to a narration in Sahih Bukhari, the companions recited Surah Fatiha to a tribal chief who had been bitten by a scorpion, and he recovered by the command of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) approved of this action.
Reciting Surah Fatiha during illness is not only permissible but also a source of blessing and healing. You can recite it with complete certainty and breathe it on yourself or the patient. May Allah Almighty grant complete healing to all the sick. Amen.
Dua of Prophet Ayyub (AS)
Prophet Ayyub (AS) is remembered for his extraordinary patience (sabr) during a serious illness. This supplication is very useful for those who seek relief from physical or emotional suffering.
The most famous dua of Ayyub (AS) is found in verse 83 of Surah Al-Anbiya. Instead of asking for a cure, Ayyub (Ayyub) simply describes his condition to Allah and acknowledges His mercy.
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration: Anni massani-yad-durru wa-anta arhamur-rahimeen.
Translation: “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
Context and Significance
Hazrat Ayyub (AS) was in a state of trial for many years, deprived of his wealth, his children, and his health. Scholars highlight several lessons from this particular supplication:
He did not complain to Allah, but complained to Allah.
By calling Allah “the Merciful”, he expressed complete trust (trust) that whatever the outcome, Allah’s mercy is there.
Authentic Duas for Healing
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) taught specific words to recite when visiting the sick and for their healing. The following supplications are highly tried and tested:
Dua for the Sick (Shifa)
This is a beautiful and powerful supplication (dua) taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for seeking healing and relief from illness.
Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) visited one of his family members, he would pass his right hand over the patient and recite this supplication: (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Transliteration: Allahumma Rabban-naas, adh-hibil-ba’s, ishfi wa Antash-Shaafi, laa shifaa’a illa shifaa’uka, shifaa’an laa yughadiru saqama.
Translation: “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the hardship. Grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your healing—a healing that leaves no trace of sickness.”
Seeking Refuge in Allah’s Power from Pain
Hazrat Uthman bin Abi Al-Aas Al-Thaqafi (RA) complained to the Prophet (ﷺ) that since I embraced Islam, I have been feeling a pain in my body (which is not going away).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught him this method:
Place your hand on the part of the body where the pain is.
Say three times: Bismillah (In the name of Allah).
And recite this supplication seven times:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
Transliteration: A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhiru.
Translation: “I seek refuge in Allah and His Power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”
Hazrat Uthman bin Abi Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I did so, and Allah Almighty removed that pain from me.
The Prophetic Supplication for Healing
This supplication has been narrated in various books of hadith. A famous narration in this regard is found in Sunan Abi Dawud and Jami’ Tirmidhi:
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever visits a sick person whose time of death has not yet approached, and sits by him and recites this supplication seven times:
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
Transliteration: As’alullahal-’Adheema, Rabbal-’Arshil-’Adheemi, an yashfiyaka.
Translation: “I ask Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to heal you.”
(Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud: 3106, Jami’ Tirmidhi: 2083)
Virtues of Visiting the Sick
Visiting the sick is not only a humanitarian act, but in Islam it is considered a great act of worship and a right of a Muslim over another Muslim. Below is a description of the virtues and etiquette of visiting:
Islamic teachings promise a great reward for those who visit:
- Staying in the Gardens of Paradise: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that when a Muslim goes to visit his brother, he is in the “Khurfat al-Jannah” (the fruit garden of Paradise) until he returns.
- Angelic supplications: According to a tradition, whoever visits a sick person in the morning, seventy thousand angels pray for his forgiveness until evening, and whoever visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels pray for him until morning.
- The shade of Allah’s mercy: Whoever sits next to a sick person, Allah’s mercy covers him as long as he stays there.
- The right of a Muslim: One of the five rights that the Prophet (ﷺ) has given to a Muslim over another Muslim is “visiting the sick”.
Patient Visit Etiquette
The purpose of a visit is to provide comfort to the patient, not to increase his or her distress. The following are its important etiquettes:
1. Patient Comfort and Reassurance
Speak to the patient in such a way that it will increase his courage. Tell him the reward of patience during illness and remind him that illness is a means of forgiveness of sins.
2. Avoid Long Stays
You should not sit next to the patient for too long so as not to disturb his rest, unless the patient himself is close to you and is enjoying your presence.
3. Choosing the Right Time
Choose a time for the visit that does not conflict with the patient’s rest or eating times.
4. Dua for Healing
One should go to the patient and recite the Sunnah supplications. For example:
“There is no harm in purifying, if Allah wills”
(There is no harm, if Allah wills, this illness will purify one from sins).
Or recite this supplication seven times:
“I ask Allah the Great, Lord of the Great Throne, to cure you”
5. Avoiding Unnecessary Questions
Do not ask the patient details of the illness that he or she would feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to share. Similarly, do not share stories about your own illnesses with him or her.
6. Don’t Talk About Disappointment.
Never mention death or the severity of the illness to the patient, but rather give them hope for life, as this is very important for their psychological health.
7. Prayer Request from the Patient
The prayer of a patient is very popular with Allah, so one should ask Him to pray for one.
Conclusion
Illness is an excuse from Allah to bring a servant closer to Him. If you or someone close to you is sick, then instead of despairing, take the help of these Sunnah supplications. Also get treatment according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) and also pray. Remember that Allah is the “Healer”, He puts life into the bones whenever He wants and turns hopelessness into hope.
May Allah grant complete, speedy and lasting healing to all the sick. Amen.