The Prophet ﷺ visited the sick, placed his right hand on them, and recited specific duas over them. He also taught Companions what to say when they were themselves ill, and what expiation illness carries. Illness in Islam is not punishment — it is an expiation of sins and a raising of ranks, provided the sick person is patient. And for every state of illness, the Prophet ﷺ left specific supplications.
What to say when you are ill
Transliteration: Allahumma adhhib al-ba’s, Rabb an-nas, washfi wa anta ash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.
Translation: O Allah, remove the hardship, O Lord of mankind. Cure, for You are the Healer. There is no cure except Your cure — a cure that leaves no illness.
Source: Bukhari 5743, Muslim 2191. This was the dua the Prophet ﷺ recited when visiting the sick — placing his right hand on them as he said it. It can be recited by the sick person over themselves, or by a visitor over the one who is ill.
The ruqyah dua for pain
The Prophet ﷺ instructed: place your hand on the place of pain and say three times: Bismillah. Then seven times: A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
Translation: I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I am wary of.
Source: Muslim 2202. The hand placement and the specific number of repetitions (seven) are part of the prophetic instruction — follow the method as given.
What to say when visiting someone who is sick
Transliteration: La ba’sa, tahur in sha’ Allah.
Translation: No harm — it is a purification, if Allah ﷻ wills.
Source: Bukhari 5656. The Prophet ﷺ would say this when visiting the sick — reminding them that illness purifies of sins. It is the ideal greeting for the sick person because it reframes the illness within the Islamic understanding of its purpose.
The reward of patience during illness
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No Muslim is afflicted with harm — even if it is just the prick of a thorn — except that Allah ﷻ expiates his sins because of it.” (Bukhari 5640, Muslim 2572). Every discomfort of illness is an expiation. The sick person who is patient and continues to make dua is simultaneously being cured of sins and making supplication for physical cure — both simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dua when you are sick?
The dua from Bukhari 5743 — “Allahumma adhhib al-ba’s, Rabb an-nas…” — is the primary dua for illness, recited by the Prophet ﷺ when visiting the sick. For localised pain, the ruqyah dua from Muslim 2202 — hand on the place of pain, Bismillah three times, then the refuge formula seven times — is the specific prophetic instruction. Both are authenticated and can be recited by the sick person over themselves.
What should I say when visiting a sick person?
“La ba’sa, tahur in sha’ Allah” — No harm, it is a purification if Allah ﷻ wills (Bukhari 5656). Then recite the healing dua over them: “Allahumma adhhib al-ba’s, Rabb an-nas…” (Bukhari 5743) — placing your right hand on them or toward them. Visiting the sick is itself a major act of worship — the Prophet ﷺ said when a Muslim visits a sick brother, he remains in the gardens of paradise until he returns (Muslim 2568).
No harm — it is a purification. That is what the Prophet ﷺ said to the sick. The illness is not wasted. Every moment of it, with patience, is a sin erased.