Dua for Health | Seeking Allah’s Blessings for Health and Well-Being | In the infinite mercy of Allah ﷻ, He has instructed us to turn to Him in duʿāʾ at all times — in health and in sickness, in ease and in hardship. Among the greatest gifts given to humankind is ʿāfiyah — a state of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When health is compromised, we are reminded of our human fragility and our need to return to the One who heals all — Ash-Shāfī, the Healer.
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ made frequent duʿāʾs for well-being and taught his Ummah to seek healing and protection through supplication.In this article, we explore several authentic duʿāʾs from the Qur’an and Sunnah that seek health and healing in its most complete sense — body, heart, and soul.
Dua for Health | Powerful Supplications
1. Daily Duʿāʾ for Good Health
The Prophet ﷺ would recite this duʿāʾ every morning and evening:
‟اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ”
Transliteration: Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī badanī, Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī samʿī, Allāhumma ʿāfinī fī baṣarī, lā ilāha illā anta.
Translation: “O Allah ﷻ, grant my body health. O Allah ﷻ, grant health to my hearing. O Allah ﷻ, grant health to my sight. There is no deity worthy of worship except You.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (5090), graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī.
2. Duʿāʾ for Healing from Illness
‟اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ، أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا”
Transliteration: Allāhumma rabba an-nās, adhhib al-ba’s, ishfi anta ash-Shāfī, lā shifā’a illā shifā’uka, shifā’an lā yughadiru saqaman.
Translation: “O Allah ﷻ, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and cure. You are the Healer. There is no cure except Your cure, a cure that leaves behind no illness.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (5743), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2191)
3. Dua for Health for Pain Relief
‟أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ”
Transliteration: Aʿūdhu bi-ʿizzatillāhi wa qudratihi min sharri mā ajidu wa uḥādhir.
Translation: “I seek refuge in the Might and Power of Allah ﷻ from the evil of what I am experiencing and of what I fear.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2202)
4. Dua for Health | Mental and Emotional Health
a) Seeking refuge from anxiety and grief:
‟اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ”
Transliteration: Allāhumma innī aʿūdhu bika mina al-hammi wa al-ḥazan.
Translation: “O Allah ﷻ, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (2893)
b) Calling on Allah by His Names:
‟يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ”
Transliteration: Yā Ḥayyu Yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth.
Translation: “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek relief.”
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī (3524), graded ḥasan
5. Duʿāʾ for Protection from Sickness
‟بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ، وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ”
Transliteration: Bismillāhilladhī lā yaḍurru maʿa ismihi shay’un fī al-arḍi wa lā fī as-samā’i, wa huwa as-Samīʿu al-ʿAlīm.
Translation: “In the name of Allah ﷻ, with whose name nothing on Earth or in the Heavens can cause harm. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (5088), graded ṣaḥīḥ
6. Duʿāʾ of Prophet Ayyūb ﵇
﴾رَبِّ إِنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ﴿
Transliteration: Rabbi innī massaniya aḍ-ḍurru wa anta arḥamu ar-rāḥimīn.
Translation: “Indeed, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
Source: Surah Al-Anbiyā’ ﴾21:83﴿
7. Duʿāʾ When Visiting the Sick
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‟أسْألُ اللَّهَ العَظِيمَ، رَبَّ العَرْشِ العَظِيمِ، أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ”
Transliteration: As’alu Allāha al-ʿAẓīm, Rabba al-ʿArsh al-ʿAẓīm, an yashfiyak.
Translation: “I ask Allah ﷻ, the Magnificent, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to heal you.”
(Recite seven times)
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd (3106), graded ḥasan by al-Albānī
References & Sources for Duas for Health and Healing
- Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5090 – Sunnah.com
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2191 – Sunnah.com
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5743 – Sunnah.com
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2202 – Sunnah.com
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2893 – Sunnah.com
- Sunan At-Tirmidhī 3524 – Sunnah.com
- Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5088 – Sunnah.com
- Qur’an 21:83–84 – Quran.com
- Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3106 – Sunnah.com
Duas for Health | Reflections on Health in the Qur’an and Sunnah
Health is one of the greatest blessings that Allah ﷻ bestows upon His servants. It is a trust (amānah) and a gift that many take for granted until it is lost. The Qur’an and the Sunnah offer a deep spiritual perspective on health, reminding us that it is not merely a worldly benefit, but a means to serve our Lord and fulfill our purpose in life.
1. Health as a Blessing and a Test
In the Qur’an, Allah ﷻ reminds us that both hardship and ease are tests:
﴾وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ﴿
“And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.”
— Surah Al-Anbiyā’ ﴾21:35﴿
Health is one of the “good” trials. How we use our strength, intellect, and ability in the obedience of Allah ﷻ is part of our test. Do we use our healthy limbs in prayer? Do we spend our days in remembrance and service? These are reflections every believer should contemplate.
2. The Prophet’s ﷺ Emphasis on Health
The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said:
‟نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ”
“There are two blessings which many people squander: health and free time.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6412)
This hadith reminds us that health is a fleeting gift. When we are healthy, we often postpone acts of worship, thinking there will be more time. The Prophet ﷺ teaches us to act before that opportunity is lost.
3. Gratitude for Health
Gratitude (shukr) is a vital part of maintaining and increasing our blessings. Allah ﷻ says:
﴾لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ﴿
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].”
— Surah Ibrāhīm ﴾14:7﴿
Saying alḥamdulillāh sincerely for the ability to breathe, to walk, to think clearly, and to eat without pain — these are forms of worship. Gratitude purifies the heart and brings barakah (blessing) into one’s health and life.
4. Patience During Illness
Illness is not only a physical burden — it is a spiritual opportunity. The Prophet ﷺ said:
‟مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ، وَلَا وَصَبٍ… حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا، إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ”
“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow… even a thorn that pricks him, except that Allah removes some of his sins because of it.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (5641), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2573)
When a believer endures illness with patience, their sins are forgiven, and their rank is elevated. It becomes a form of purification and preparation for the eternal life.
5. Health as a Tool for Worship
The body is a vessel given to us to fulfill our mission of worshipping Allah ﷻ:
﴾وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ﴿
“And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
— Surah adh-Dhāriyāt ﴾51:56﴿
Maintaining one’s health — eating halal, sleeping with balance, staying active, and avoiding harmful substances — is not just self-care, it’s ibādah (worship) when done with the right intention.
6. The Qur’an as Healing
The Qur’an itself is a spiritual and even physical cure, as Allah ﷻ says:
﴾وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴿
“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers.”
— Surah Al-Isrā’ ﴾17:82﴿
Reciting the Qur’an with contemplation and sincerity can bring tranquility to the heart, clarity to the mind, and even healing to the body.
7. Following the Sunnah for Holistic Health
The lifestyle of the Prophet ﷺ included:
- Moderate eating (never overeating)
- Using hijamah (cupping therapy)
- Using honey, olive oil, and dates for nourishment
- Resting at night and rising early
- Keeping the heart free of hatred and envy
True health is not just the absence of illness, but the presence of inner peace, gratitude, and spiritual balance. The Qur’an and Sunnah provide not only remedies for the body but nourishment for the soul. Let us thank Allah ﷻ in times of well-being, and turn to Him in times of hardship. And let us always remember that every moment of strength is a chance to earn His pleasure, and every moment of weakness is a doorway to His mercy.
Health is a gift, a trust, and a test — and duʿāʾ is one of our most powerful tools in preserving and restoring it. These beautiful supplications are more than words — they are acts of submission, expressions of gratitude, and instruments of healing. When combined with patience, reliance upon Allah ﷻ, and proper means, they bring light to both body and heart.
“Use Your Health Before Your Sickness” — A Prophetic Reflection
Among the treasures of the Sunnah is the wisdom found in the following narration:
شَبَابَكَ قَبْلَ هَرَمِكَ، وَصِحَّتَكَ قَبْلَ سَقَمِكَ، وَغِنَاكَ قَبْلَ فَقْرِكَ، وَفَرَاغَكَ قَبْلَ شُغْلِكَ، وَحَيَاتَكَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِكَ”
Transliteration:
Ightanim khamsan qabla khamsin: shabābaka qabla haramika, wa ṣiḥḥataka qabla saqamika, wa ghināka qabla faqrika, wa farāghaka qabla shughlika, wa ḥayātaka qabla mawtika.
Translation:
“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.
“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your busyness, and your life before your death.”
— Musnad Ahmad (12393), authenticated by al-Albānī
Reflection: Health Before Sickness
When the Prophet ﷺ said, “your health before your sickness,” he was urging us to seize the opportunity that good health offers — a period of strength, vitality, and ability. It is a time to maximize our acts of worship, acts of service, learning, family responsibilities, and the betterment of our community.
In health, we can:
- Pray consistently and fully
- Fast voluntarily
- Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah
- Serve others with energy
- Study, earn, and give in charity
But when sickness strikes, much of this becomes difficult or impossible. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ taught us to act before the opportunity is lost — for indeed, our health is a gift, but not a guarantee.
Qur’anic Connection
Health as a gift is echoed in the Qur’an’s encouragement to give thanks and to act before regret overtakes us:
﴾وَأَنْفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ﴿
“And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you…”
— Surah Al-Munāfiqūn ﴾63:10﴿
The idea is the same: do good while the door is still open.
Practical Steps: Using Your Health Wisely
Here are a few actionable ways to implement this prophetic advice:
- Establish Strong Worship Habits: Regular prayer, dhikr, fasting, and Qur’an recitation should be built during times of ease so they remain with us in hardship.
- Seek Knowledge & Teach Others: Use your alert mind and physical ability to study Islamic knowledge and pass it on.
- Serve Family & Ummah: Volunteer, visit the sick, support the elderly, and care for those in need — actions that require effort and health.
- Build Sadaqah Jāriyah: Use your health to invest in good deeds that will outlive you — such as building wells, supporting education, or writing beneficial knowledge.
- Gratitude in Action: Health is not just to be enjoyed — it must be appreciated through good deeds.
May Allah ﷻ grant us all:
- Shifāʾ — healing from all ailments
- ʿĀfiyah — well-being in all matters
- Ṣabr — patience in trials
- Tawakkul — trust in His decree
‟اللَّهُمَّ اشْفِ مَرْضَانَا وَمَرْضَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ”
Allāhumma ishfi marḍānā wa marḍā al-muslimīn.
Health is fleeting. Illness, aging, and weakness are part of life’s natural course. But for the believer, every phase holds value — and when we use our health with sincerity and purpose, we store up reward for the days when we can no longer act. May Allah ﷻ grant us the wisdom to use our health in His obedience, and may He grant healing to the sick and strength to the weak. Ameen.
Read more: Dua After Tashahud