Islamic duas for Shifa, health, healing, and protection offer comfort during illness. Rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, these prayers strengthen body and soul.
This guide shares Quranic verses and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) duas for health and protection.
Quranic Guidance on Healing and Health
The Qur’an provides Shifa through its verses. Surah Al-Isra (17:82) calls it a source of healing and mercy.
Surah Al-Isra (17:82)
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ
Wa nunazzilu minal-Qur’āni mā huwa shifā’un wa rahmatun lil-mu’minīn.
We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers.
The Qur’an soothes emotional pain and guides believers through illness.
Quranic Verses for Healing
Surah Al-Fatihah: The Opening Cure
Surah Al-Fatihah, called the “Opening Cure,” helps with Shifa. A Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (2276) describes its use in Ruqyah for healing.
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri said: A man told the Prophet (PBUH) a scorpion stung his friend. The Prophet (PBUH) taught them to recite Surah Al-Fatihah over the sting, and the pain went away.
Surah Al-Fatihah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm Al-hamdu lillāhi rabbil-‘ālamīn Ar-Rahmānir-Rahīm Māliki yawmiddīn Iyyāka na‘budu wa iyyāka nasta‘īn Ihdinas-sirātal-mustaqīm Sirātal-ladhīna an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghdūbi ‘alayhim wa lad-dāllīn.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Master of the Day of Judgment You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help Guide us to the straight path The path of those You have blessed, not those who have earned anger, nor those who are astray.
The Three Quls: Surahs for Protection and Healing
The three Quls—Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas—protect against illness and harm.
A Hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud (5082) says Aishah (RA) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) recited these surahs three times every morning and evening, blew into his hands, and wiped them over his body for healing and protection.
Surah Al-Ikhlas
Affirms Allah’s oneness.
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Qul huwa Allahu aḥad Allahuṣ-ṣamad Lam yalid walam yūlad Walam yakullahu kufuwan aḥad.
Say, He is Allah, the One Allah, the Eternal Refuge He neither begets nor is born And there is none comparable to Him.
Surah Al-Falaq
Seeks protection from harm.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْفَلَقِ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِى ٱلْعُقَدِ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Qul a‘ūdhu birabbil-falaq Min sharri mā khalaq Wa min sharri ghāsiqin idhā waqab Wa min sharrin-naffāthāti fil-‘uqad Wa min sharri hāsidin idhā hasad.
Say, I seek refuge with Allah, the Lord of the dawn From the evil of what He created From the evil of darkness when it settles From the evil of the blowers in knots And from the evil of an envier when he envies.
Surah An-Nas
Seeks protection from evil whispers.
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
Qul a‘ūdhu birabbin-nās Malikin-nās Ilāhin-nās Min sharril-waswāsil-khannās Alladhī yuwaswisu fī sudūrin-nās Minal-jinnati wan-nās.
Say, I seek refuge with Allah, the Lord of mankind The Sovereign of mankind The God of mankind From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws Who whispers in the hearts of mankind Among jinn and mankind.
| Surah Name | Key Focus | When to Recite | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surah Al-Ikhlas | Affirms Allah’s oneness | Morning, evening, after prayers | Purifies faith, aids healing |
| Surah Al-Falaq | Protection from external harm | Morning, evening, during stress | Shields from illness |
| Surah An-Nas | Protection from internal evils | Morning, evening, during anxiety | Supports mental health |
Dua of Prophet Ayyub (as) for Relief from Adversity
For prolonged illness, from Surah Al-Anbiya (21:83).
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Annī massaniyad-durru wa anta arhamur-rāhimīn.
Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
Ayat Al-Shifa
The six Ayat Al-Shifa help with physical and emotional burdens, healing the heart and soul.
Surah Yunus (10:57)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَآءٌۭ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Yā ayyuhan-nāsu qad jā’atkum maw‘izatum mir rabbikum wa shifā’un limā fis-sudūri wa hudan wa rahmatun lil-mu’minīn.
O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers.
Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌۭ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌۭ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Yakhruju mim butūnihā sharābum mukhtalifun alwānuhu fīhi shifā’un lin-nās, inna fī dhālika la’āyatan liqawmin yatafakkarūn.
From their bellies comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who reflect.
Surah Al-Isra (17:82)
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا
Wa nunazzilu minal-Qur’āni mā huwa shifā’un wa rahmatun lil-mu’minīn, wa lā yazīduz-zālimīna illā khasārā.
We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.
Surah Ash-Sharh (94:1-8)
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَبْ
Alam nashrah laka sadrak, wa wada‘nā ‘anka wizrak, alladhī anqada zahrak, wa rafa‘nā laka dhikrak, fa’inna ma‘al-‘usri yusrā, inna ma‘al-‘usri yusrā, fa’idhā faraghta fansab, wa ilā rabbika farghab.
Did We not expand for you your chest? And We removed from you your burden which weighed upon your back, and raised high for you your mention. For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease. So when you have finished, then stand up, and to your Lord direct your longing.
Surah At-Tawbah (9:14-15)
قَـٰتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍۢ مُّؤْمِنِينَ وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Qātilūhum yu‘adhdhibhumu Allahu bi’aydīkum wa yukhzihim wa yansurkum ‘alayhim wa yashfi sudūra qawmin mu’minīn, wa yudhhib ghayza qulūbihim, wa yatūbu Allahu ‘alā man yashā’u, wallahu ‘alīmun hakīm.
Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the hearts of a believing people, and remove the rage of their hearts. And Allah turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:80)
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Wa idhā maridtu fahuwa yashfīn.
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.
Duas for Healing and Recovery
These duas seek Allah’s mercy for healing, recovery, and relief from physical, emotional, and mental ailments, based on the Sunnah.
Dua for Pain
Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah (3522).
Uthman ibn Abi al-As said: He told the Prophet (PBUH) of body pain. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Place your hand on the painful area and say: ‘I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil that I find and fear,’ three times.” The pain went away.
أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri mā ajidu wa uḥādhir.
I seek refuge with Allah and His power from the evil that I find and fear.
Dua for Fever
Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah (3520).
Ibn Abbas said: The Prophet (PBUH) taught a man with fever to say, “In the name of Allah, the Great, I seek refuge with Allah, the Mighty, from the evil of every throbbing vein and the heat of the fire,” and to sprinkle cool water on himself.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَبِيرِ أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ عِرْقٍ نَعَّارٍ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَرِّ ٱلنَّارِ
Bismillāhil-kabīr a‘ūdhu billāhil-‘azīm min sharri kulli ‘irqin na‘‘ārin wa min sharri ḥarrin-nār.
In the name of Allah, the Great, I seek refuge with Allah, the Mighty, from the evil of every throbbing vein and from the evil of the heat of the fire.
Dua of Prophet Musa (as) for Seeking Allah’s Mercy
For distress and need, from Surah Al-Qasas (28:24).
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Rabbi innī limā anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqīr.
My Lord, I am in need of whatever good You send down to me.
Duas for Visiting the Sick
Visiting the sick brings Allah’s mercy. These duas comfort the sick, following the Sunnah.
Dua for Purification and Healing
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari (5656).
Ibn Abbas (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) visited a sick Bedouin and said, “No harm, may it be a purification, if Allah wills.”
لَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
La ba’sa tahurun insha’Allah.
No harm, may it be a purification, if Allah wills.
Dua for General Healing
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari (5743).
Anas (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) visited a sick person and said, “O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the illness, cure him, for You are the Healer.”
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Allahumma Rabban-nās, adhhibil-ba’s, ishfi anta ash-Shāfī, lā shifā’a illā shifā’uk, shifā’an lā yughādiru saqaman.
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove illness, cure, for You are the Healer. There is no cure but Your cure, a cure that leaves no sickness.
Dua for Physical Illness
Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah (3857).
Ibn Abbas (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever visits a sick person whose time has not yet come and says seven times: ‘I ask Allah, the Mighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you,’ Allah will cure him.”
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
As’alullah Al-‘Azīm, Rabbal-‘arshil-‘azīm, an yashfiyak.
I ask Allah, the Mighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you.
Etiquette of Visiting the Sick: Brief, positive visits align with Sunnah, supporting Shifa without burdening the sick.
Duas for Protection from Illness and Harm
These duas protect against illness and harm through daily supplications from the Sunnah.
Dua for Daily Protection
Hadith: Sunan Abu Dawud (5088).
Uthman ibn Affan said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever says three times every morning and evening: ‘In the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing,’ will be protected from harm.”
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ ٱسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي ٱلسَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Bismillāhilladhī lā yadurru ma‘asmihi shay’un fil-arḍi wa lā fis-samā’i wa huwas-Samī‘ul-‘Alīm.
In the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
Dua for Seeking Refuge from Loss of Blessings
Hadith: Sunan an-Nasa’i (5496).
Abu Hurairah (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Say: ‘O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the disappearance of Your blessings, the change of Your health, and the suddenness of Your punishment,’ to protect from loss of health.”
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحْوِيلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min zawali ni’matika wa tahwili ‘afiyatika wa fuja’ati niqmatik.
O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the disappearance of Your blessings, the change of Your health, and the suddenness of Your punishment.
Dua for Health and Well-Being
Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud (5090).
Ibn Umar (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Say: ‘O Allah, grant health to my body, hearing, and sight,’ to seek well-being.”
اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي وَعَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي وَعَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي
Allahumma ‘afini fi badani, wa ‘afini fi sam’i, wa ‘afini fi basari.
O Allah, grant health to my body, grant health to my hearing, and grant health to my sight.
Dua for Inner Peace
Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah (3871).
Ibn Umar said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever says: ‘O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter,’ will be granted protection.”
ٱللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ ٱلْعَافِيَةَ فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـٰخِرَةِ
Allahumma innī as’aluk al-‘āfiyah fid-dunyā wal-ākhirah.
O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter.
Natural Remedies for Healing
Islamic remedies from the Qur’an and Sunnah complement duas for healing.
The Healing Power of Honey
Honey helps with Shifa, per Surah An-Nahl (16:69). Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari (5684).
Abu Sa’id said: A man told the Prophet (PBUH) his brother had a stomach ailment. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Give him honey to drink,” and the ailment was cured.
يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌۭ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَايَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Yakhruju mim butūnihā sharābum mukhtalifun alwānuhu fīhi shifā’un lin-nās, inna fī dhālika la’āyatan liqawmin yatafakkarūn.
From their bellies comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people.
The Benefits of Dates
Dates boost health, per Surah Maryam (19:25). Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud (3836).
Aishah said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Eat dates, for they are pure and blessed, and they strengthen the body.”
وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًۭا جَنِيًّۭا
Wa huzzī ilayki bijidh‘in-nakhlatī tusāqit ‘alayki rutāban janiyyā.
And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you; it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you.
Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) as a Cure: Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari (5687). Abu Hurairah said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Use black seed, for it is a cure for every disease except death.”
Charity (Sadaqah) for Healing: Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah (1842). Abu Umamah said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Treat your sick with charity, for it wards off affliction and illness.” Charity promotes healing alongside medical care.
Practical Tips for Reciting Duas
- Preparation: Perform wudu (ablution) before reciting duas to ensure purity and focus.
- Timing: Recite these duas after obligatory prayers or during the last third of the night for greater acceptance.
- Sincerity: Approach each dua with a humble heart, fully relying on Allah’s mercy and power.
- Community: Encourage family and friends to join in reciting these duas, fostering collective supplication.
Regularly reciting these duas with devotion can bring peace, healing, and protection, deepening your spiritual bond with Allah. The essence of dua lies in the trust and hope you place in His infinite wisdom.
