اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ البَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the suffering, heal him/her; You are the Healer, there is no healing but Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind.
Allahumma Rabba an-nas, adzhibil-ba's, ishfi anta ash-shafi, la shifaa'a illa shifaa'uka, shifaa'an la yughadiru saqama.
When to Read
This dua is profoundly comforting and beneficial when a loved one is suffering from a terminal illness. Recite it with sincerity and deep reliance on Allah during the difficult moments, at the bedside, or any time you think of them and wish for their ease and well-being in this life and the next. It's a way to actively seek Allah's intervention and express your care and concern.
How to Read
Recite this dua with heartfelt sincerity, placing your hand on the ill person if possible, or directing your supplication towards them. Have full conviction (yaqin) that Allah is the ultimate Healer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to repeat the supplication seven times when seeking healing. Maintain a state of purity if possible, facing the Qiblah, and focusing your heart on Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful petition for healing, directly from the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It acknowledges Allah as the sole source of healing ('anta ash-shafi') and seeks a complete cure that leaves no trace of sickness. Beyond physical healing, it is a means to invoke Allah's mercy ('Rahmah') upon the ailing individual, which is paramount, especially in terminal cases. It fosters patience and hope in the hearts of those who are suffering and those who care for them, reminding us that even in the face of dire illness, Allah's mercy is vast and His power is absolute.
Source & Authentication
‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when any person among them had an illness, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) would rub his chest with his right hand and say: "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the suffering, heal him/her; You are the Healer, there is no healing but Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5743). Another narration states: 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), said: "When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) fell ill, he would recite the Mu'awwidhatayn (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas) and blow on his body. When his illness increased, I used to recite them and blow on him and make him rub his body with his own hand because of its blessings." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5016). While this latter hadith refers to a different supplication for the Prophet's own illness, it illustrates the practice of seeking healing through dua and blowing, and the importance of the Mu'awwidhatayn. The primary dua provided is specifically for general healing and removal of suffering.