Wellbeing
Illness and Healing in Islam: Hadith and Quran for the Sick
What Islam says about illness: sickness expiates sins, every disease has a cure, and the Prophet ﷺ recited Al-Falaq and An-Nas when ill. Authentic references.
Reviewed by the Nouf Quran Academy teaching team · Updated
Being ill — or caring for someone who is — tests patience, finances and faith. Islam offers comfort and encourages treatment at the same time.
Allah is the one who heals
وَإِذَا مَرِضۡتُ فَهُوَ يَشۡفِينِ
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me”
Every disease has a cure
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment
Illness wipes away sins
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that
The Prophet’s ﷺ practice when ill
Narrated `Aisha:Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) became sick, he would recite Mu'awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An- Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٞ وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارٗا
“And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss”
- Seek medical treatment — it is part of the Sunnah, not against tawakkul.
- Recite Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas.
- Visit and make dua for the sick.
Frequently asked questions
Is seeking medical treatment allowed in Islam?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah has not created a disease except that He also created its treatment (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678).
Which surahs did the Prophet ﷺ recite when sick?
He recited the Mu‘awwidhat — Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas — and blew over his body (Sahih al-Bukhari 5016).