Islam takes a holistic approach to health — combining sincere supplication to Allah with seeking medical treatment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no disease that Allah has created except that He also has created its treatment." (Bukhari)
Dua When Ill — For Oneself
Allahumma Rabb-an-nas, adh-hibil ba's, ishfi anta ash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama.
"O Allah, Lord of the people, remove the difficulty and grant healing. You are the Healer. There is no cure except Your cure — a healing that leaves no illness behind." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Dua When Visiting the Sick
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would place his hand on the sick person and say:
As'alullaha al-'Azeem, Rabbal-'Arshil-'Azeem, an yashfiyak.
"I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to cure you." (Recite 7 times.) (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
Ruqyah — Quranic Healing
Ruqyah is the practice of reciting specific Quranic verses over oneself or another for healing. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used Ruqyah and permitted it.
Surah Al-Fatiha
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said Al-Fatiha is a cure for every disease. A companion used it to cure a man who had been stung, and the Prophet approved it. (Bukhari)
Ayat ul Kursi (Quran 2:255)
Reciting Ayat ul Kursi over the ill person and blowing lightly upon them is a well-known Sunnah practice.
Al-Mu'awwidhat (Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite these three surahs, blow into his hands, and wipe over his body when ill. (Bukhari)
The Sunnah of Seeking Medical Treatment
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it." (Abu Dawud)
Dua and medicine are not opposites — they work together. Seek the best medical care available and make dua for healing with full trust in Allah.
Dua for Protection from Illness
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-baras, wal-junun, wal-judhami, wa min sayyi'il-asqam.
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from leprosy, insanity, elephantiasis, and from evil diseases." (Abu Dawud)
Find all health and protection duas on the DuaSalaam Duas page, including the full collection of Masnoon supplications with Arabic text and transliteration.