UK Prayer Times

Duas · Shifa

Prayers for Healing

Authentic Islamic prayers (duas) for healing — for yourself, and for those you love — taken from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah, with Arabic, transliteration and meaning.

Quick Answer

The most authentic prophetic prayer for healing is: "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 and grant healing; You are the Healer (Bukhari 5675, Muslim 2191). Recite it, place a hand on the pain with the seven-times refuge dua, and read Surah Al-Fatihah as ruqyah — while still seeking medical treatment, as the Prophet ﷺ taught.

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Prophetic duas for healing

These supplications are authentically reported from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Recite the Arabic if you can, then ask Allah in your own words — sincerity and certainty matter more than eloquence.

The comprehensive prayer for healing

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ 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 and grant healing. You are the Healer — there is no healing except Your healing; a healing that leaves no sickness behind.”

The Prophet ﷺ recited this over the sick and taught it to his family. It is the most complete prophetic dua for shifa.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5675 · Sahih Muslim 2191

Placing a hand on the pain

بِسْمِ اللهِ، أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ

Bismillah (3×), then 7×: A'udhu bi'izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhiru

“In the name of Allah (three times), then seven times: I seek refuge in the might and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”

Place your right hand on the site of the pain, say Bismillah three times, then the supplication seven times.

Sahih Muslim 2202

When visiting the sick

أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ

As'alullahal-'Azim, Rabbal-'Arshil-'Azim, an yashfiyak

“I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to cure you.”

The Prophet ﷺ said whoever says this seven times over a sick person, Allah will cure them of that illness — a dua made on behalf of someone you love.

Abu Dawud 3106 · Tirmidhi 2083 (sahih)

Words of comfort and purification

لَا بَأْسَ، طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

La ba'sa, tahurun in sha Allah

“No harm — it is a purification, if Allah wills.”

What the Prophet ﷺ said to the sick — illness itself purifies the believer of sins.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3616

Asking Allah for wellbeing

اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي

Allahumma 'afini fi badani, Allahumma 'afini fi sam'i, Allahumma 'afini fi basari

“O Allah, grant me wellbeing in my body. O Allah, grant me wellbeing in my hearing. O Allah, grant me wellbeing in my sight.”

Part of the Prophet’s ﷺ morning and evening remembrances — a daily dua for continued health.

Abu Dawud 5090

The dua of Ayyub (Job), peace be upon him

أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

Anni massaniyad-durru wa Anta arhamur-rahimin

“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”

Allah answered him, removed his affliction and restored his family — the Quran presents this as the model prayer of a patient sufferer.

Quran 21:83

Surah Al-Fatihah — the greatest ruqyah

A group of the Prophet’s companions passed by a tribe whose chief had been stung. One companion recited Surah Al-Fatihah over him as a ruqyah, and he recovered. When they told the Prophet ﷺ, he said: "How did you know that it is a ruqyah?" — confirming the opening chapter of the Quran as a recitation of healing.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5736

The Quran itself is a healing

Six verses — often called Ayat ash-Shifa, the verses of healing — describe the Quran and Allah’s creation as a cure for body and heart. Recite them over yourself or the sick person.

Quran 17:82

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers.”

Quran 10:57

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ

“O mankind, there has come to you an instruction from your Lord and a healing for what is in the breasts.”

Quran 41:44

وَهُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ

“It is, for those who believe, a guidance and a healing.”

Quran 26:80

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me — the words of Ibrahim (AS).”

Quran 9:14

وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ

“…and He will heal the breasts of a believing people.”

Quran 16:69

فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ

“In it (honey) is healing for people.”

How to pray for healing

  1. Begin in a state of purity — perform wudu and face the Qibla if you are able.
  2. Praise Allah, then send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ before asking — the accepted opening of dua.
  3. Recite the prophetic duas above, placing your hand on the place of pain where prescribed.
  4. Ask in your own words — by name for the sick person, with certainty that Allah hears.
  5. Persist — repeat morning and evening, in sujood, and in the last third of the night.
  6. Take the means — seek medical treatment. “Seek treatment, servants of Allah, for Allah has not created a disease without appointing a cure for it” (Abu Dawud 3855).

Prayers for strength →

Duas for patience, courage and relief.

Daily duas →

Morning, evening and everyday supplications.

Tasbeeh counter →

Count your dhikr and duas digitally.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Islamic prayer for healing?

The most authentic and comprehensive is the Prophet's ﷺ dua: "Allahumma Rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba's, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama" (Bukhari 5675, Muslim 2191). Alongside it, Surah Al-Fatihah is a proven ruqyah, and the Quran itself is described as "a healing and a mercy" (17:82).

Can I make dua for healing in English?

Yes. Dua is personal supplication and may be made in any language — Allah understands every tongue. The Arabic prophetic wordings carry the blessing of the Prophet’s ﷺ exact words, so many recite the Arabic and then ask in their own language.

Does making dua replace medical treatment?

No. Islam pairs dua with means: the Prophet ﷺ said "Seek medical treatment, for Allah has not created a disease without appointing a cure for it" (Abu Dawud 3855). Take the medicine, see the doctor, and make the dua — the believer does both.

How do I pray for someone else who is sick?

Say seven times over them or in their presence: "As'alullahal-'Azim, Rabbal-'Arshil-'Azim, an yashfiyak" (Tirmidhi 2083). You can also make the comprehensive healing dua for them by name — the angels say "Ameen, and for you the same" when a Muslim prays for an absent brother or sister (Muslim 2732).

What is ruqyah?

Ruqyah is healing through recitation of the Quran and authentic prophetic supplications — most commonly Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, the last two surahs (Al-Falaq, An-Nas) and the healing duas above. It is permissible when it contains no words of shirk, and the Prophet ﷺ confirmed Al-Fatihah as a ruqyah (Bukhari 5736).

When are duas most likely to be answered?

In the last third of the night, between the adhan and iqamah, while prostrating, on Fridays, while fasting and at iftar, in Ramadan and on Laylatul Qadr. Whatever the time, make dua with certainty, humility and persistence, and never say "I asked but was not answered".