Duas for the Sick

The Importance and Etiquette of Praying for the Sick

For a Muslim, illness is an occasion for patience and turning towards Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended visiting the sick and praying at their bedside, and he practised this himself. There are two central principles when praying for someone who is ill:

1. Healing comes only from Allah. Dua is not incantation or amulets — it is direct refuge in Allah and trust in Him.
2. Medical treatment is not abandoned. "Seek treatment, for Allah has not created any illness without also creating a cure for it" (Abu Dawud, Tibb 1). Dua and treatment go hand in hand.

⚠️ Important: Avoid words that instil hopelessness at a sick person's bedside; instead, encourage patience and hope for healing.

1. The Dua the Prophet Recited Over the Sick

Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet (peace be upon him) would place his hand on the sick person and recite this dua:

Arabic

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Transliteration

Allahumma Rabba'n-nas, adhhibi'l-ba's, ishfi anta'sh-shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama.

Meaning

"O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove this affliction and heal — You are the Healer; there is no healing except Your healing — a healing that leaves no illness behind."

— Bukhari, Tibb 38; Muslim, Salam 46

2. The Dua Recited 7 Times at the Bedside

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever visits a sick person whose time has not yet come, and recites this dua seven times over them, Allah will surely grant them healing."

Arabic

أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ

Transliteration

As'alullaha'l-'azima Rabba'l-'arshi'l-'azimi an yashfiyak.

Meaning

"I ask Allah the Almighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to grant you healing."

— Tirmidhi, Tibb 32; Abu Dawud, Tibb 19. (For yourself: recite it as "...an yashfiyani.")

3. The Healing Verses of the Quran

Scholars have gathered together the main 6 verses in the Quran where the concept of "shifa" (healing) appears, for recitation over the sick:

• At-Tawbah 14 — "...and heal the breasts of a believing people..."
• Yunus 57 — "...and a healing for what is in the breasts..."
• An-Nahl 69 — "...wherein there is healing for people..."
• Al-Isra 82 — "And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers."
• Ash-Shu'ara 80 — "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me."
• Fussilat 44 — "...Say: it is, for those who believe, a guidance and a healing."

These verses may be recited while in a state of wudu, either over the sick person directly or over water that is then given to them to drink.

4. The Most Recited Surahs for Healing

• Surah Al-Fatihah — also known as "Ash-Shafiyah" (the healing surah); recited for every kind of affliction.
• Ayatul Kursi — for protection and healing.
• Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas — the surahs the Prophet would recite into his hands and wipe over his body when unwell (Bukhari, Fada'il al-Qur'an 14).

Duas Before and After Surgery

To ease fear and anxiety before surgery, the dua of trust in Allah is recited:

Hasbunallahu wa ni'ma'l-wakil — "Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs." (Al 'Imran 173)

This is followed by surrendering to Allah with the plea "Allahumma'shfi" (O Allah, heal). For other duas to recite in moments of anxiety and distress, see our Duas for Distress and Stress page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be said when visiting someone who is sick?

Offer kind, uplifting words, encourage patience, and say something like "Get well soon, may Allah grant you healing." Follow this with the duas above. Keep the visit brief so the sick person does not become tired.

When should the healing dua be recited?

There is no fixed time; it may be recited at any time. It is narrated that duas made especially during the pre-dawn hours and after prayers are more readily accepted. You can build this into your daily routine alongside the Morning Duas page.

Is wudu required to recite over a sick person?

It is not required, but being in a state of wudu is in keeping with the etiquette of dua and is recommended. For details on performing wudu, see our How to Perform Wudu guide.

Healing Duas in the Nurlu App

Reciting these duas regularly, every day, is far easier with a reminder:

• healing duas and verses, with Arabic text, transliteration and audio recitation, all in one place
• a dhikr counter to track your repetitions (7 times, 33 times...)
• a daily dua reminder so you never miss the pre-dawn and post-prayer duas

Start by downloading the Nurlu app for free → Get it on the App Store

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🔗 See also: Dua for Distress and Stress · Duas for Protection from the Evil Eye · All Duas