اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ كَفَّارَةً لِذُنُوبِهِ
O Allah, make it an expiation for his sins.
Allahumma-j'alhu kaffaratan li-dhunoobihi
When to Read
This beautiful supplication is taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when visiting a sick person who is suffering greatly. It's a dua to ask Allah to turn the sickness into a means of purifying the person's sins, making their hardship a source of spiritual cleansing.
How to Read
When visiting someone who is sick and in distress, place your hand on them (if appropriate and they permit) and recite this dua. The intention is to seek Allah's mercy for the sick person, asking that their trial be a means of purification. It's a dua made *for* the sick person, not necessarily one they recite themselves, though they can certainly reflect on its meaning.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua highlights a profound aspect of Islamic belief: that trials and tribulations, when faced with patience and faith, can serve as expiation for our sins. The Prophet ﷺ, through this teaching, guides us to see sickness not just as an affliction, but potentially as a divine opportunity for spiritual cleansing and closeness to Allah. It encourages a perspective shift from despair to hope, focusing on the ultimate mercy of Allah. This reflects the general principle mentioned in a hadith: 'No Muslim is afflicted with harm as Allah has willed it for him, but it will be an expiation for his sins (during his life), and it will be like the dust wiping away the sins of a person.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5657).
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): The Prophet ﷺ entered upon a Bedouin who was sick. Whenever the Prophet ﷺ entered upon someone who was sick, he would say: 'Do not worry, may it be an expiation (for your sins), if Allah wills.' Then he would say: 'O Allah, remove the hardship, cure the person, and make him patient.' The Bedouin said: 'You have said it, may Allah make me patient.'