Islam teaches that all healing comes from Allah alone. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease — old age." (Abu Dawud). Alongside seeking medical treatment, Muslims are encouraged to make dua to Allah, the ultimate Healer (Ash-Shafi).
Duas for the Sick Person
1. The Prophet's ﷺ Dua for Healing
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Allahumma Rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba's, ishfi antash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama.
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction. Cure, for You are the Curer. There is no cure except Your cure — a cure that leaves no illness.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5675, Sahih Muslim 2191
2. Placing the Hand on the Pain
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ (ثَلَاثًا) أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
Bismillah (3 times). A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
In the name of Allah (3 times). I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.
Sahih Muslim 2202 — Place your hand on the area of pain and recite this 7 times.
3. Surah Al-Fatiha (The Cure)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ، مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ، إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ، اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ، صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'alamin. Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim. Maliki yawmid-din. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in. Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim walad-dallin.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path — the path of those You have blessed, not those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray.
Quran 1:1-7 — Known as "Ash-Shifa" (The Cure). The Prophet ﷺ approved its use as ruqyah.
4. Quranic Verse for Healing
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Wa nunazzilu minal-Qur'ani ma huwa shifa'un wa rahmatun lil-mu'minin.
And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers.
Quran 17:82
Dua When Visiting a Sick Person
5. Comforting the Sick
لَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
La ba'sa, tahur in sha'Allah.
No worry, it is a purification, if Allah wills.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3616
6. Asking Allah to Cure the Sick Person
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
As'alullaha al-'Azim Rabbal-'Arshil-'Azim an yashfiyak.
I ask Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you.
At-Tirmidhi 2083 — Recite 7 times. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever visits a sick person who has not yet died and says this 7 times, Allah will cure him of that illness."
Dua for Patience During Illness
7. Dua of Prophet Ayyub (Job) عليه السلام
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Anni massaniyad-durru wa Anta arhamur-rahimin.
Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.
Quran 21:83 — The dua of Prophet Ayyub (Job) during his severe illness. Allah answered his prayer and restored his health.
8. General Supplication for Wellbeing
اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Allahumma 'afini fi badani, Allahumma 'afini fi sam'i, Allahumma 'afini fi basari. La ilaha illa Anta.
O Allah, grant me health in my body. O Allah, grant me health in my hearing. O Allah, grant me health in my sight. There is no deity except You.
Abu Dawud — Recite 3 times in the morning and evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dua should I recite when I am sick?
When you are sick, recite: "Allahumma Rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba's, ishfi antash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama." (O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction. Cure, for You are the Curer. There is no cure except Your cure — a cure that leaves no illness.) This is from Sahih al-Bukhari.
Which surah is good for healing?
Surah Al-Fatiha is known as "Ash-Shifa" (the cure). The Prophet ﷺ approved its recitation as ruqyah (spiritual healing). Additionally, Ayatul Kursi (2:255), Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Surah Al-Falaq (113) and Surah An-Nas (114) are all recommended for healing and spiritual protection.
What dua should I say when visiting a sick person?
When visiting a sick person, say: "La ba'sa, tahur in sha'Allah" (No worry, it is a purification if Allah wills). You can also recite: "As'alullaha al-Azeem Rabbal-Arshil-Azeem an yashfiyak" (I ask Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you) — repeat 7 times.