What dua can I say when I'm sick?
Yes, the Prophet ﷺ taught a simple one: put your hand where it hurts, say "Bismillah" three times, then "A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir" seven times. You can also use Prophet Ayyub's dua from the Quran and ask Allah for healing in your own words. Dua goes hand in hand with seeing a doctor and taking your medicine.
The dua for pain
A Companion complained to the Prophet ﷺ about pain in his body. He was told: "Place your hand at the place where you feel pain in your body and say Bismillah (in the name of Allah) three times and seven times A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear)" (Sahih Muslim 2202).
- Step 1: hand on the painful spot (head, stomach, back).
- Step 2: "Bismillah" × 3.
- Step 3: "A'udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir" × 7.
It works for headaches, period cramps, chronic pain or a sore knee. You can repeat it as often as you need.
A dua from the Quran
Prophet Ayyub (Job) was tested with long illness and loss. His dua is short and gentle: "Anni massaniyad-durru wa anta arhamur-rahimin."
Notice he didn't complain about Allah. He described his pain and appealed to Allah's mercy. That's a good model for your own words. Prophet Ibrahim also said, "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me" (Quran 26:80).
Many Muslims also recite the last three surahs (al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, an-Nas) into their hands and wipe over their body, following the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. See What are the "three Quls" and when do I read them?
Dua plus medicine
Islam doesn't ask you to choose between faith and treatment. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age" (Sunan Abi Dawud 3855). So see your doctor, take your medicine, and make dua that Allah puts the cure in it. See Do I have to fast during Ramadan if I have diabetes?
Finding meaning in being sick
- Sins are wiped away: "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow... befalls a Muslim... but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5641).
- Don't wish for death: the Prophet ﷺ said not to wish for death because of a calamity. If it's very hard, say: "O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5671).
- Worship gets easier rules: you can pray sitting or lying down if you need to, and you may be excused from fasting.
Being sick can make you feel far from Allah because you can't do as much. But patience, a quiet "Alhamdulillah" and a few words of dua in bed are worship too.
- Hand on the pain, "Bismillah" × 3, then the refuge dua × 7.
- Ayyub's dua: "Anni massaniyad-durru wa anta arhamur-rahimin."
- Seeking medical treatment is part of the sunnah.
- Illness wipes away sins, so patience is rewarded.
People also ask
Can I make dua for someone without telling them?
Yes, praying for someone in their absence is a sunnah, and the angels pray the same good for you. Telling them is optional.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when visiting someone who is sick?
Yes: say "La ba'sa, tahurun in sha Allah" or "As'alullahal-'Azim... an yashfiyak" seven times. Keep visits kind and short.
Read the full answer →Should I wipe my face after making dua?
It depends on the scholars you follow, but it isn't required. The face-wiping reports are weak, so some allow it and others leave it.
Read the full answer →Do I have to raise my hands when making dua?
No, raising your hands isn't required. It's a Sunnah the Prophet often did, but a dua without raised hands is still complete.
Read the full answer →What dua do I say when I move into a new home?
It depends: there's no single new home dua, but sunnah words fit. Say A'udhu bi kalimatillahit-tammati, Bismillah, and recite al-Baqarah.
Read the full answer →