Quran for Physical and Spiritual Shifa: Verses and Duas for Healing

Q: What is the dua for a sick person?

The Prophetic dua is: Allahumma Rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba's, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uk, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama (Sahih al-Bukhari 5675; Sahih Muslim 2191). It means: O Allah, Lord of the people, remove the harm and heal; You are the Healer; there is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.

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Which Quran verses are for healing? The Quran describes itself as shifa (healing) in 17:82, 10:57 and 41:44. Muslims commonly recite Al-Fatiha, the three Quls (112-114) and the six Ayat ash-Shifa, together with the Prophetic dua for the sick. Recitation is a supplication to Allah, the Healer. It complements medical treatment and never replaces it.

Quick Guide

For the body: Al-Fatiha, the Quls, and the Prophetic duas for the sick, alongside proper medical care
For the heart and mind: 10:57, 13:28, 94:5-6 and regular dhikr, alongside professional support when needed
Core belief: the verses are a means and Allah alone heals (26:80)

What Does the Quran Say About Shifa (Healing)?

The Quran uses shifa for both physical and spiritual healing. It calls itself a healing for “what is in the hearts” (10:57) and a healing and mercy for the believers (17:82). It also names honey as a source of healing for people (16:69), and the prophet Ibrahim says: “When I am ill, it is He who heals me” (26:80). Scholars discuss how far 17:82 refers to the heart and how far to the body; both views are widely held, and the central point is the same: healing comes from Allah.

The Six Ayat ash-Shifa (Verses of Healing)

Many Muslims recite these six verses together for healing. The grouping is customary. It is not a list prescribed in a hadith, and each verse is valid for recitation on its own.

Verse	Arabic (excerpt)	Meaning	Context
9:14	وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ	“…and heal the hearts of a believing people.”	Allah’s promise of relief to the believers
10:57	وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ	“…a healing for what is in the hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers.”	The Quran as healing for the heart
16:69	فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ	“…in it is healing for people.”	Said about honey
17:82	وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ	“We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers.”	The Quran as healing and mercy
26:80	وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ	“And when I am ill, it is He who heals me.”	The dua of Ibrahim
41:44	قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ	“Say: it is, for those who believe, a guidance and a healing.”	The Quran as guidance and healing

Surahs and Verses Commonly Recited for Shifa

Recitation	How it is used	Source
Al-Fatiha (1)	A companion recited it over a man stung by a scorpion, and he recovered. The Prophet ﷺ approved it.	Sahih al-Bukhari 5736
Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (112-114)	The Prophet ﷺ would recite them, blow lightly on his hands and wipe over his body when ill.	Sahih al-Bukhari 5017
Ayatul Kursi (2:255)	Recited for protection and seeking Allah’s refuge	Sahih al-Bukhari 2311

Authentic Duas for Healing

Dua	Arabic	Transliteration	Meaning	Source
The Prophetic dua for the sick	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 the people, remove the harm and heal; You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.”	Sahih al-Bukhari 5675; Sahih Muslim 2191
For pain in the body	أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ	A’udhu bi’izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir	“I seek refuge in Allah’s might and power from the evil of what I feel and fear.”	Sahih Muslim 2202. Place your hand on the painful spot, say “Bismillah” three times, then recite this seven times.
Dua of Ayyub (Job)	أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ	Anni massaniyad-durru wa Anta arhamur-rahimin	“Indeed, hardship has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”	Quran 21:83
Dua of Ibrahim	وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ	Wa idha maridtu fa huwa yashfin	“And when I am ill, it is He who heals me.”	Quran 26:80
For distress and relief	يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ	Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith	“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, in Your mercy I seek relief.”	Tirmidhi 3524

When Visiting a Sick Person

Words	Meaning	Source
La ba’s, tahurun in sha Allah (لَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ)	“No harm, it is a purification, if Allah wills.”	Sahih al-Bukhari 3616
As’alullahal-‘Azeema Rabbal-‘arshil-‘azimi an yashfiyak, recited seven times	“I ask Allah the Mighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to heal you.”	Abu Dawud 3106; Tirmidhi 2083

Ruqyah of Jibril

The Prophet ﷺ was recited over with these words (Sahih Muslim 2186): Bismillahi arqika min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘ayni hasidin, Allahu yashfik, bismillahi arqik (“In the name of Allah I recite over you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye. May Allah heal you. In the name of Allah I recite over you.”)

Spiritual Shifa: Healing the Heart

Anxiety, grief and heaviness of the heart are part of what people mean by spiritual shifa. These verses are commonly recited for peace and relief:

Verse	Arabic	Meaning
13:28	أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ	“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
10:57	وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ	“…and a healing for what is in the hearts.”
94:5-6	فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا	“Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”

Important: persistent anxiety, low mood, panic or intrusive thoughts can be medical or psychological conditions. Seeking professional help is not a lack of faith. It is part of seeking healing. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or a crisis line right away.

How to Recite the Quran for Shifa

Make the intention. Recite sincerely, asking Allah for healing and remembering that He alone heals.
Be in a state of wudu if you can, and sit calmly.
Recite with understanding. Read the translation so the meaning reaches the heart.
Blow lightly and wipe. After reciting, blow lightly into your hands and wipe over the body, or place the hand on the affected area as in the hadith (Bukhari 5017).
Make dua. Ask Allah in your own words, and use the authentic duas above.
Be consistent. Make it a daily habit, and keep up your treatment.

Conditions for Permissible Ruqyah

As summarized by Ibn Hajar, scholars set three conditions: it must be with the words of Allah, His names and attributes or authentic supplications; in a language that is understood; and with the belief that ruqyah does not heal by itself, since Allah alone heals.

Seeking Medical Treatment Is Also Sunnah

The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has sent down its cure (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678), and he told the believers to seek treatment (Abu Dawud 3855; Tirmidhi 2038). Reciting the Quran for shifa and seeing a doctor go together. See a doctor promptly for severe, sudden or persistent symptoms.

What About a Quranic Taweez for Healing?

Scholars differ on wearing a taweez. Some permit it if it contains only the Quran or authentic supplications, while others consider wearing any amulet impermissible. Everything on this page can be practiced without one. If you permit it, read our page on protection from the evil eye for the full scholarly discussion, and see the Complete Quran Coded Taweez. It is a supplication and not a cure or a guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Quran verses are for healing?

The Quran calls itself shifa (healing) in 17:82, 10:57 and 41:44. Muslims also recite Al-Fatiha, the three Quls (112-114), and the six Ayat ash-Shifa (9:14, 10:57, 16:69, 17:82, 26:80, 41:44), along with the Prophetic duas for the sick.

What are the Ayat ash-Shifa?

They are six verses that mention healing: 9:14, 10:57, 16:69, 17:82, 26:80 and 41:44. Grouping them together is a customary practice, not a list prescribed in a hadith.

Which surah is best for shifa?

Surah Al-Fatiha has the clearest authentic basis. A companion recited it over a man stung by a scorpion and he recovered, and the Prophet ﷺ approved (Sahih al-Bukhari 5736). The Prophet ﷺ also recited the three Quls over himself when ill (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).

What is the dua for a sick person?

The Prophetic dua is: “Allahumma Rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba’s, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uk, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5675; Sahih Muslim 2191). It means: O Allah, Lord of the people, remove the harm and heal; You are the Healer; there is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.

How do I do ruqyah on myself?

Recite Al-Fatiha, Ayatul Kursi and the three Quls, blow lightly into your hands, and wipe over your body, as the Prophet ﷺ did (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017). Then make the authentic duas for healing and ask Allah sincerely.

How many times should I recite Al-Fatiha for shifa?

The authentic report about Al-Fatiha does not fix a number. Recite with presence of heart. Some people use customary counts such as three or seven, which are optional.

Can the Quran heal physical illness?

The Quran describes itself as healing, and the Prophet ﷺ approved reciting it over the sick. Allah is the Healer, and recitation is a means and a supplication. It does not replace medical treatment, which is also part of the Sunnah.

Should I see a doctor as well?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ told the believers to seek treatment and said Allah has sent down a cure for every disease (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678; Abu Dawud 3855). Spiritual practice and medical care go together.

Is ruqyah permissible in Islam?

Yes, when it uses the Quran, Allah’s names or authentic supplications, in understood language, with the belief that Allah alone heals. Ruqyah that involves shirk, unknown words or invoking anyone other than Allah is impermissible.

Is wearing a taweez for healing permissible?

Scholars differ. Some permit an amulet containing only the Quran or authentic supplications, and others consider wearing any amulet impermissible. All agree that believing an object has power by itself is shirk. Consult a scholar you trust.