By One of the hardest things to face in life is to watch someone you love in need of healing due to an illness. And while science and technology have advanced and we’ve made more discoveries over the years, there’s only so much our doctors and experts can do. In those times we end up feeling stressed, helpless, and at a loss for hope. What do we do in times of helplessness – when the ones we love are suffering and we want to do something? We make dua (supplication.) And in case you were wondering what to say, here is a list of 5 duas that are recommended:
1. Dua for suffering
رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ تَقَدَّسَ اسْمُكَ أَمْرُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ كَمَا رَحْمَتُكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَاجْعَلْ رَحْمَتَكَ فِي الأَرْضِ اغْفِرْ لَنَا حُوبَنَا وَخَطَايَانَا أَنْتَ رَبُّ الطَّيِّبِينَ أَنْزِلْ رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ وَشِفَاءً مِنْ شِفَائِكَ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَجَعِ فَيَبْرَأُ
Abu Dharda narrates that he once heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say:
“If any of you is suffering from anything or his brother is suffering, he should say (the dua above): Our Lord is Allah (SWT) Who is in the heaven, holy is Thy name, Thy command reigns supreme in the heaven and the earth, as Thy mercy in the heaven, make Thy mercy in the earth; forgive us our sins, and our errors; Thou art the Lord of good men; send down mercy from Thy mercy, and remedy, and remedy from Thy remedy on this pain so that it is healed up.” – Sunan abu dawud
2. dua for hardship
ٱللَّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءٌ لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمَاً
Ayesha (RA) said that she would often see the Prophet (PBUH) rub the area of pain his companions would have and recite this dua, which translates to:
“Oh Allah (SWT) take away the hardship, O Lord of mankind, give shifa, You are the One who cures, there is no cure except Your shifa, a cure that will not leave any sickness.” – Sahih Bukhari & Muslim
3. Dua to heal pain
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
A Sahabah once reported that he made a complaint to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about feeling pain all over his body. The Prophet (PBUH) replied by saying:
“Place your hand at the place where you feel pain in your body and say Bismillah (in the name of Allah (SWT)) three times, and then seven times this dua: I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear.” – Sahih Muslim
4. Dua to protect us from harm
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
This dua is one that is extremely common. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged all his companions to read the dua above regularly as it is one that protects us from harm and asks Allah (SWT) for goodness and good health.
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” – Surah Baqarah, Ayah 201
5. dua in the face of adversity
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
The story of Prophet Ayub (AS) is one that teaches us in keeping our faith in Allah (SWT.) Prophet Ayub (AS) was a man who had everything (health, wealth, family, stature) yet all of his luxuries and comforts were taken away from him as a test by Allah (SWT.) During those difficult times, when he was in poor health, he would recite the above dua with complete sincerity to Allah (SWT.)
“Indeed, adversity has befallen me and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” – Surah Al Anbia, Ayah 83
When making dua for a loved one, know that Allah (SWT) is the All-Hearing and the Responder of Duas. May Allah (SWT) grant health to those who are sick, and keep those that are healthy under his Mercy and Protection. Amin.