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Dua for shifa and healing
November 14, 2024
Duas for shifa: prayers to help the sick, protect, and heal
By Yusuf Jaffar
•
4 min read
At LaunchGood, we are more than a crowdfunding platform. We are a global community where people come together to support the sick, seek shifa (healing), and provide aid during times of hardship.
As you make your donations, we want to offer a list of duas (Islamic prayers) that you can recite. These duas are for your own health, for the recovery of loved ones, or to support those who are ill. Reciting these duas brings peace and humility. It reminds us of our reliance on Allah’s mercy and power to cure all illnesses.
Allah promises in the Qur’an: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." May these duas be a source of strength and shifa for you and for those you support.
Duas for health and shifa: Seeking Allah’s protection and healing
We recognize the power of dua (supplication) as a source of our own strength, healing, and protection. In moments of illness or adversity, seeking Allah’s help can bring immense comfort and hope.
Reciting duas not only brings a sense of peace but reminds us of our reliance on Allah's ultimate power to cure all illnesses and shield us from difficulties.
Here are some powerful duas specifically for protection and healing (shifa) based on the Quran and Sunnah:
Dua for shifa (healing)
This is one of the most well-known duas for healing:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمَا
Transliteration: Allahumma Rabban-naas adhhibil-ba’sa washfi Antash-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uk shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa.
Translation: “O Allah, the Lord of mankind, remove the difficulty and bring about healing. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no trace of illness.”
Dua for protection from harm
This dua is recited for protection from harm and illness:
Arabic: أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
Transliteration: A’udhu bi’izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhaadhiru.
Translation: “I seek refuge in Allah’s Might and Power from the evil of what I feel and fear.” This dua can be recited while placing one’s hand on the area of pain, saying “Bismillah” three times, followed by this supplication seven times.
Dua from Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas (the three Quls)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas for protection and healing, especially during illness. These surahs provide protection from harm, including physical ailments and spiritual afflictions.
Ayat Al-Shifa (verses of healing)
Several Quranic verses are known as Ayat Al-Shifa (verses of healing), including:
Surah Al-Isra (17:82): “And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe...”
Surah Yunus (10:57): “O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts...”
Dua of Prophet Ayyub (Job)
This is the dua Prophet Ayyub (AS) made during his time of illness:
Arabic: رَبِّ إِنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration: Rabbi inni massaniyad-durru wa anta arhamur-raahimeen.
Translation: “O my Lord, indeed adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
Dua for general well-being
This comprehensive dua asks for goodness in both this life and the Hereafter:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Translation: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Islam encourages a balanced approach to seeking shifa, combining spiritual practices like dua with practical steps such as medical treatment and natural remedies, such as honey (Surah An-Nahl, 16:69). Charity is also emphasized as a means to seek blessings for health. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity” (Tirmidhi).
Islamic prayers to recite for the sick and those in need (others)
At LaunchGood, we understand that in times of illness or hardship, the support of a community and the power of dua (supplication) can bring immense comfort and hope. Here are some powerful duas for healing and protection, based on the Quran and Sunnah:
Dua for healing and recovery
This is a dua the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would recite when visiting a sick person:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمَا
Transliteration: Allahumma Rabban-naas adhhibil-ba’sa washfi Antash-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uk shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa.
Translation: “O Allah, the Lord of mankind, remove the difficulty and bring about healing. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no trace of illness.”
Dua for healing (seven times)
This dua is recommended to be recited seven times for someone who is ill:
Arabic: أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
Transliteration: As’al Allah al-‘Azim Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘Azim an yashfiyak.
Translation: “I ask Allah, the Mighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you.”
Dua for mercy and healing
This dua, narrated in Abu Dawood, seeks both mercy and healing for the sick:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ تَقَدَّسَ اسْمُكَ أَمْرُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ كَمَا رَحْمَتُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ اجْعَلْ رَحْمَتَكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ اغْفِرْ لَنَا حَوْبَنَا وَخَطايانا أَنْت رَبُّ الطَّيِّبِينَ أَنْزِلْ رُحْمَةً مِن رُحْمَتِكَ وَشِفَاءً مِن شِفائِكَ عَلَى هذَا الْوَعك
Transliteration: Rabbana Allahu allathee fissama’i taqaddasa ismuka amruka fissama’i wal-ard kama rahmatuka fissama’i aj’al rahmataka fil-ard. Ighfir lana houbana wa khatayaana anta rabbul tayyibeen anzil rahmatan min rahmatika wa shifaan min shifa’ika ‘ala hadha al-waj’i.
Translation: “Our Lord Allah Who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Your command reigns supreme in heaven and on earth; as Your mercy is in heaven, make Your mercy on earth; forgive us our sins and our errors; You are the Lord of good men; send down mercy from Your mercy, and remedy from Your remedy on this pain so that it is healed.”
Comprehensive dua for well-being
This dua asks for goodness in both this life and the Hereafter:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Translation: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Dua for protection from illness
This dua seeks protection from harm and illness:
Arabic: اللهم إني أعوذ بك من زوال نعمتك وتحول عافيتك وفجاءة نقمتك وجميع سخطك
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min zawali ni’matika wa tahawwuli ‘afiyatika wa fujaa’ati niqmatika wa jami’i sakhatika.
Translation: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the loss of Your blessings, from a change in my well-being, from Your sudden punishment, and from all forms of Your displeasure.”
These duas can be recited when visiting or thinking about someone who is ill to ask for their healing and protection. May Allah grant them full recovery and good health.
This is a dua the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would recite when visiting a sick person:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمَا
Transliteration: Allahumma Rabban-naas adhhibil-ba’sa washfi Antash-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illaa shifaa’uk shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa.
Translation: “O Allah, the Lord of mankind, remove the difficulty and bring about healing. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no trace of illness.”
This dua is recommended to be recited seven times for someone who is ill:
Arabic: أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
Transliteration: As’al Allah al-‘Azim Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘Azim an yashfiyak.
Translation: “I ask Allah, the Mighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you.”
This dua, narrated in Abu Dawood, seeks both mercy and healing for the sick:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ تَقَدَّسَ اسْمُكَ أَمْرُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ كَمَا رَحْمَتُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ اجْعَلْ رَحْمَتَكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ اغْفِرْ لَنَا حَوْبَنَا وَخَطايانا أَنْت رَبُّ الطَّيِّبِينَ أَنْزِلْ رُحْمَةً مِن رُحْمَتِكَ وَشِفَاءً مِن شِفائِكَ عَلَى هذَا الْوَعك
Transliteration: Rabbana Allahu allathee fissama’i taqaddasa ismuka amruka fissama’i wal-ard kama rahmatuka fissama’i aj’al rahmataka fil-ard. Ighfir lana houbana wa khatayaana anta rabbul tayyibeen anzil rahmatan min rahmatika wa shifaan min shifa’ika ‘ala hadha al-waj’i.
Translation: “Our Lord Allah Who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Your command reigns supreme in heaven and on earth; as Your mercy is in heaven, make Your mercy on earth; forgive us our sins and our errors; You are the Lord of good men; send down mercy from Your mercy, and remedy from Your remedy on this pain so that it is healed.”
This dua asks for goodness in both this life and the Hereafter:
Arabic: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.
Translation: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
This dua seeks protection from harm and illness:
Arabic: اللهم إني أعوذ بك من زوال نعمتك وتحول عافيتك وفجاءة نقمتك وجميع سخطك
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min zawali ni’matika wa tahawwuli ‘afiyatika wa fujaa’ati niqmatika wa jami’i sakhatika.
Translation: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the loss of Your blessings, from a change in my well-being, from Your sudden punishment, and from all forms of Your displeasure.”
How dua and charity bring peace, healing, and blessings
In Islam, charity (sadaqah) is not only a means of helping others but also serves as a powerful form of healing and protection—both spiritually and physically.
Charity is viewed as a remedy for illness, a shield against calamities, and a source of spiritual purification that benefits both the giver and those in need.
Here are some key ways that sadaqah functions as a form of healing in Islam:
Charity as a remedy for illness
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the healing power of charity, stating:
"Treat your sick ones with charity" (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
This hadith highlights that giving charity can be a means of seeking healing from illnesses. By giving in the way of Allah, one can attain His mercy and protection from ailments.
Charity as protection from calamities
Charity not only heals but also serves as a shield against future misfortunes. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity" (Tirmidhi).
This suggests that charitable acts can prevent harm or illness from occurring, offering both physical and spiritual protection.
Spiritual healing through charity
Charity purifies the soul and helps expiate sins, which can contribute to physical well-being. Some illnesses may be seen as trials or consequences of sins, and by giving charity, a person seeks forgiveness and purification. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire" (Ahmad).
By erasing sins through charitable acts, one may also alleviate the spiritual causes of illness, leading to overall healing.
Charity increases resistance to disease
Many Muslims believe that giving sadaqah improves their resistance to diseases and shortens the duration of illness. This belief is rooted in the idea that charity brings blessings and divine intervention, enhancing one’s physical resilience.
Combining charity with medical treatment
Islam encourages a holistic approach to healing, combining medical treatment with spiritual practices like charity. Studies have shown that many Muslims believe medical treatment should be accompanied by sadaqah for optimal healing. While medicine addresses physical symptoms, charity invokes Allah’s mercy for complete recovery.
Continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) for ongoing healing
Ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), such as building wells or supporting education, provides continuous benefits even after death. Such acts are believed to bring continuous blessings and protection to the giver and their loved ones. This form of charity is an investment in both this life and the Hereafter, ensuring lasting rewards and spiritual protection.
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