Dua for a Sick Person in Islam: Supplications for Healing and Comfort

In Islam, healing belongs to Allah. The believer seeks the permitted means, consults healthcare professionals when necessary, follows suitable treatment and asks Allah for healing, patience and comfort.

A dua for a sick person, also known as a supplication for healing, allows the Muslim to turn to Allah in moments of pain, illness or worry. It does not replace medical care, but it accompanies the believer through hardship, soothes the heart and reminds us that all healing comes from Allah, the Healer.

Whether one is looking for a dua for oneself, for a sick relative, for a child, for a specific pain or for protection of health, the essential point is to call upon Allah with sincerity, trust and humility.

To strengthen your understanding of faith, supplications and Islamic practice, you can also visit our page to learn Islam.

Key points about dua for a sick person

A dua for a sick person is a supplication through which the believer asks Allah for healing, relief, patience and protection. It can be recited for oneself, for a relative, for a child, for an elderly person or for anyone affected by illness.

Among the most well-known supplications is:

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’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.

Meaning: O Allah, Lord of people, remove the harm, heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.

Illness in Islam: trial, patience and trust in Allah

In the Islamic faith, illness is a trial that can affect the body, heart and mind. It reminds the believer of human fragility, the need for Allah and the immense value of health.

The Quran mentions that believers may be tested with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, and then gives glad tidings to those who are patient. This perspective helps the Muslim understand that hardship is not only difficulty; it can also become a means of purification, return to Allah and strengthening of faith.

The believer should not despair when sick. A Muslim asks Allah for healing, but also for patience, peace of heart, ease in treatment and reward for the hardship endured.

Supplications related to illness are part of a wider practice of remembrance, tawakkul and Islamic learning. To progress with structure, students can follow Islamic studies online courses adapted to beginners and more advanced learners.

Medicine and supplication: keeping the right balance

Islam does not oppose supplication and medicine. The Muslim places trust in Allah but does not neglect the permitted means. When sick or experiencing persistent pain, a person may consult a doctor, follow treatment, rest, care for the body and call upon Allah.

This balanced approach protects from two mistakes:

• relying only on material means while forgetting Allah;
• refusing medical care under the claim of trusting Allah.

Treatments, doctors and care are means. Healing belongs to Allah. The heart remains attached to Allah, while the body benefits from the permitted means.

In cases of serious pain, illness, worrying symptoms or worsening condition, it is necessary to consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Supplication for healing: Allahumma rabba-n-nas

This is one of the most well-known supplications for asking Allah to heal a sick person. It can be recited for oneself or for someone else.

Arabic text:

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’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.

Meaning: O Allah, Lord of people, remove the suffering, heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.

Meaning explained: This supplication affirms that true healing comes from Allah. The believer may take the necessary medical means while recognizing that Allah places healing in those means.

Supplication against pain

When a person feels pain in the body, a reported supplication teaches the believer to place the hand on the painful area, say Bismillah three times, then repeat a request for protection seven times.

Step 1: say three times:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

Transliteration: Bismillah.

Meaning: In the name of Allah.

Step 2: recite seven times:

أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ

Transliteration: A‘udhu bi ‘izzati Allahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.

Meaning: I seek refuge in the might and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and fear.

Meaning explained: This supplication helps the believer seek refuge in Allah from the present pain and from what is feared. It may be recited calmly, with trust and presence of heart.

Short dua to ask for healing

The believer may also ask Allah for complete healing with a short and easy supplication.

Arabic text:

اللَّهُمَّ اشْفِنِي شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Transliteration: Allahumma ishfini shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.

Meaning: O Allah, heal me with a healing that leaves no illness.

To supplicate for a relative, one may say:

اللَّهُمَّ اشْفِ مَرِيضَنَا شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Transliteration: Allahumma ishfi maridana shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.

Meaning: O Allah, heal our sick person with a healing that leaves no illness.

Dua for the healing of a sick person

When visiting a sick person or thinking of someone who is suffering, this supplication may be recited:

Arabic text:

أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ

Transliteration: As’alullah al-‘azim rabbal-‘arsh al-‘azim an yashfiyak.

Meaning: I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the magnificent Throne, to heal you.

Adaptation: For a female, one can say: an yashfiyaki. For several people: an yashfiyahum.

Supplication to ask for health and protection from illness

Health is an immense blessing. The believer may ask Allah to preserve health even before becoming sick.

Arabic text:

اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Transliteration: Allahumma ‘afini fi badani, Allahumma ‘afini fi sam‘i, Allahumma ‘afini fi basari, la ilaha illa Anta.

Meaning: O Allah, grant me well-being in my body, in my hearing and in my sight. There is no deity worthy of worship except You.

Meaning explained: This supplication asks for preservation, well-being and protection. It may be recited in the morning, in the evening or whenever a person feels the need to ask Allah for health.

Can a dua for a sick person be made in English?

Yes, it is permissible to make a supplication for a sick person in English or in one’s own language. Whoever does not know Arabic can ask Allah for healing, patience, relief and protection with personal words.

For example, one may say:

O Allah, grant healing to this person, relieve their pain, soothe their heart, make their treatment easy and replace their hardship with reward and mercy from You.

Learning some supplications in Arabic remains beneficial because it brings the believer closer to the transmitted formulas and helps one understand their depth.

What should be asked from Allah when someone is sick?

When someone is sick, it is possible to ask Allah for many blessings:

• complete healing;
• patience during the trial;
• relief from pain;
• ease in treatment;
• protection from worsening illness;
• reward for endurance;
• comfort for the sick person and family;
• a better outcome in this world and the Hereafter.

Supplication does not always remove hardship immediately, but it gives the believer inner strength, hope and a calmer way to live through the trial.

Performing ruqyah for a sick person

Ruqyah consists of reciting verses of the Quran and authentic supplications to ask Allah for healing and protection. It can be performed on oneself or on a loved one, with modesty, sincerity and trust in Allah.

For a simple ruqyah, it is possible to recite:

• Surah Al-Fatihah;
• Ayat al-Kursi;
• Surah Al-Ikhlas;
• Surah Al-Falaq;
• Surah An-Nas;
• the healing supplications mentioned in this article.

Ruqyah does not replace medical care. It accompanies treatment by asking Allah for healing.

Since ruqyah often includes Quran recitation, it is useful to learn how to read the surahs correctly and improve pronunciation. To progress in this area, you can explore our program to learn Quran and Tajweed online.

When should a dua for a sick person be recited?

A dua for a sick person may be recited at different times:

• when learning that someone is sick;
• when visiting a sick person;
• after prayers;
• during the night;
• while supporting a loved one through treatment;
• when feeling pain oneself;
• during a period of treatment;
• when feeling worry or fatigue.

The most important point is to supplicate with a sincere heart while taking the permitted means for treatment.

How to recite a supplication for healing

Dua should be recited with sincerity, humility and trust. It is not only about repeating words mechanically, but turning to Allah with a present heart.

• Recite the supplication calmly.
• Understand the meaning as much as possible.
• Ask for healing and patience.
• Continue taking suitable medical means.
• Avoid despair if the answer is delayed.
• Keep trust in Allah’s wisdom.

Allah responds according to His wisdom. Healing may be quick, gradual, accompanied by stronger patience or replaced by a reward known best to Allah.

Mistakes to avoid when praying for a sick person

When making dua for a sick person, it is important to avoid certain mistakes:

• thinking supplication automatically replaces medical care;
• despairing if healing is delayed;
• reciting mechanically without presence of heart;
• saying words that increase the sick person’s fear;
• neglecting emotional and family support;
• forgetting that healing belongs to Allah alone.

The believer should combine supplication, patience, compassion, suitable care and trust in Allah.

Dua for a sick child

When a child is sick, parents may feel deep worry. They should take the necessary medical means, reassure the child, surround the child with gentleness and call upon Allah for healing.

The supplications mentioned in this article may be recited, especially:

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

Children can also gradually learn short supplications to ask Allah for health, protection and patience. To support them in their Islamic learning, Al-Dirassa offers Islamic courses for children.

Understanding healing supplications in Arabic

Many Muslims recite supplications in Arabic using transliteration. This is a useful first step, but understanding the words helps the believer call upon Allah with more focus and presence of heart.

Words such as اشْفِ, الشَّافِي, شِفَاء, أَعُوذُ, عَافِنِي, بَدَنِي and قُدْرَة often appear in supplications related to healing, protection and trust.

Transliteration can help at the beginning, but it remains limited. To recite supplications more accurately, it is useful to follow a structured path to learn Arabic online.

Understanding supplications is not limited to reading their translation. Studying a Quranic Arabic course helps students recognize frequent words from the Quran, duas and religious expressions.

Learning Islam to better live through hardship

Supplications against illness are part of a broader learning of the Islamic faith. Understanding their meaning helps the believer live through hardship with patience, thank Allah for health and place trust in Him.

The more the believer knows Allah, His names, patience, tawakkul and prophetic supplications, the more calmly one can face trials.

For more articles related to supplications, spirituality, trials and Muslim life, you can visit our Islam and culture section.

FAQ — Dua for a sick person in Islam

What dua should be recited for a sick person?

You can recite: Allahumma rabba-n-nas, adhhibi-l-ba’s, ishfi anta-sh-shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama. This supplication asks Allah for complete healing.

What is the Allahumma rabban nas supplication?

It is a healing supplication meaning: O Allah, Lord of people, remove the harm, heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing.

What supplication is recited against pain?

It is reported to place the hand on the painful area, say Bismillah three times, then seven times: A‘udhu bi ‘izzati Allahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.

What dua can be recited for the healing of a loved one?

One may recite: As’alullah al-‘azim rabbal-‘arsh al-‘azim an yashfiyak, meaning: I ask Allah the Magnificent, Lord of the magnificent Throne, to heal you.

Can a dua for a sick person be made in English?

Yes. It is permissible to ask Allah for healing in English or in one’s own language. One may ask for health, patience, relief, protection and complete healing.

Does ruqyah replace medical treatment?

No. Ruqyah accompanies medical care but does not replace it. The believer should take permitted means for treatment while asking Allah for healing.

What should be asked from Allah for a sick person?

One may ask for healing, patience, relief from pain, ease in treatment, protection, comfort and reward for the hardship endured.

Is illness a punishment in Islam?

Illness is a trial that can become a means of purification, patience and closeness to Allah. The believer should not despair, but supplicate and take the permitted means.

Conclusion: asking Allah for healing with faith, patience and balance

A dua for a sick person is a supplication of healing, hope and comfort. It reminds the believer that all healing comes from Allah and that one should never lose hope in His mercy.

By combining supplications, medical care, patience, compassion and trust in Allah, the Muslim lives through illness with faith, balance and serenity.

Whether the sick person is oneself, a parent, a child, a loved one or another believer, supplication remains an open door to Allah, the One who hears, responds and heals according to His wisdom.