Pain can affect the body, the mind and even a person’s ability to worship comfortably. Islam does not tell a believer to ignore that pain. Instead, it teaches us to turn to Allah for relief while also taking sensible steps to seek treatment.
One of the most direct duas for physical pain comes from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself. He instructed a Companion who complained of pain to place his hand over the painful area, say Bismillah three times, and then recite a specific supplication seven times.
What Is the Authentic Dua for Pain in the Body?
Uthman ibn Abi al-‘As (RA) complained to the Prophet ﷺ about pain he was experiencing in his body.
The Prophet ﷺ told him to place his hand where it hurt and say:
Bismillah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
three times.
Then say seven times:
Arabic
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
Transliteration
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
English Meaning
I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.
This instruction is recorded in Sahih Muslim 2202.
How Should I Read This Dua for Pain?
The Prophetic instruction is very simple.
Place your hand over the area that hurts, say Bismillah three times, and then recite:
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir
seven times.
There is no need to invent a separate Arabic formula for every possible pain.
The same authentic dua can be used when experiencing bodily pain, whether that is discomfort in the head, back, joints, muscles, stomach or elsewhere.
Of course, the cause of pain still matters medically. Dua should not stop someone from getting an injury, illness or persistent pain properly assessed.
A Powerful Dua Asking Allah for Complete Healing
Another beautiful authentic supplication was used by the Prophet ﷺ when someone was ill.
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Transliteration
Allahumma Rabb an-nas, adhhib al-ba’s, ishfihi wa Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uk, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.
English Meaning
O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and grant healing. You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind.
Aishah (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used this supplication when treating members of his family. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 5743 and also in Sahih Muslim.
This dua is especially suitable when asking Allah for healing from sickness or ongoing physical pain.
The Dua of Prophet Ayyub for Illness and Hardship
Prophet Ayyub (AS) endured severe hardship and called upon Allah with a short but powerful dua.
Arabic
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Transliteration
Anni massaniya ad-durru wa Anta arhamur-rahimin.
English Meaning
Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.
This dua appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:83. The following verse explains that Allah answered Ayyub’s supplication and removed his adversity.
What makes this dua especially meaningful is its simplicity.
Ayyub (AS) acknowledged his suffering but did not lose hope in Allah’s mercy.
Can Surah Al-Fatihah Be Recited for Healing?
Yes.
There is authentic evidence for using Surah Al-Fatihah as ruqyah.
In a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the Companions recited Surah Al-Fatihah over a person who had been stung, and the person recovered. The incident was later reported to the Prophet ﷺ.
For Muslims, Al-Fatihah is therefore more than the opening Surah of Salah. It can also be recited as part of permissible ruqyah and while asking Allah for healing.
It should still be understood correctly: healing belongs to Allah. Qur’anic recitation is not a substitute for believing that Allah alone controls the outcome.
Can I Read Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas When I Am Ill?
Yes.
Aishah (RA) reported that when the Prophet ﷺ became ill, he would recite the Mu’awwidhat, including Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, and gently blow over himself.
When his final illness became more severe, Aishah (RA) recited them for him and used his hand to wipe over his body.
This provides a clear Sunnah basis for reciting these Surahs during illness.
You can recite them calmly and ask Allah for protection, relief and healing.
What Does the Qur’an Say About Who Gives Healing?
The Qur’an teaches an important principle through the words of Prophet Ibrahim (AS):
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Wa idha maridtu fahuwa yashfin.
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
This appears in Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:80.
That verse gives balance to the whole subject.
Medicine may be a means.
Doctors may be a means.
Rest may be a means.
Treatment may be a means.
But ultimately, a Muslim believes that healing comes by Allah’s permission.
Is There a Separate Sunnah Dua for Headache?
There is no need to claim that there is a particular Prophetic formula specifically for headaches when the authentic general bodily-pain dua already covers physical pain.
If you have a headache, you can use:
Bismillah three times,
followed by:
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir seven times.
You can also make a personal dua in your own words, such as asking Allah to remove your headache and grant you health.
Personal dua does not have to come from a hadith to be permissible. The important distinction is that we should not label our own wording as a special Sunnah dua unless there is evidence for that.
What About Dua for Toothache, Back Pain or Joint Pain?
The same principle applies.
You do not need a separate prescribed dua for every body part.
For toothache, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain or other bodily discomfort, the most directly relevant Prophetic guidance is to place your hand on the painful area where appropriate and recite the pain dua taught in Sahih Muslim.
You may then make additional personal dua:
“O Allah, remove this pain and grant me complete healing.”
There is nothing wrong with asking Allah in straightforward language.
The mistake would be claiming that such wording is a specific hadith when it is simply a personal supplication.
Is “Bismillahilladhi La Yadurru” a Dua for Pain?
You may also come across this well-known dua:
Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Transliteration
Bismillahilladhi la yadurru ma’a ismihi shay’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim.
It is an authentic remembrance, but it is better described as a morning and evening protection dua rather than specifically a dua for existing bodily pain.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that it should be recited three times in the morning and three times in the evening.
That distinction matters because it keeps the Sunnah practices in their correct context.
Can I Make Dua for Someone Else Who Is Sick?
Yes.
The healing dua beginning:
Allahumma Rabb an-nas, adhhib al-ba’s…
was used by the Prophet ﷺ when others were ill, not only for himself. (Sunnah.com)
You can therefore make dua for a parent, child, spouse, friend or another Muslim who is suffering.
You can ask Allah to relieve their pain, restore their health and make their illness a means of reward and purification.
Can I Make Dua in English for Pain?
Yes.
Outside the fixed recitation of Salah, you can ask Allah for help in a language you understand.
If you cannot memorise the Arabic immediately, learn it gradually while still making sincere dua.
For example:
“O Allah, please remove this pain, grant me healing and give me patience while I recover.”
There is no requirement that every personal dua must use complicated Arabic.
Does Dua Replace Medicine or Medical Treatment?
No.
Turning to Allah does not mean refusing appropriate medical care.
A Muslim can make dua, recite Qur’an, take prescribed medication, see a doctor and follow medical advice at the same time.
If you are experiencing severe, worsening or unexplained pain, it is sensible to seek medical advice rather than relying only on self-treatment. For people in the UK, NHS 111 can help with urgent medical concerns that are not life-threatening, while 999 is for life-threatening emergencies. (nhs.uk)
This is especially important for pilgrims travelling with an existing health condition. If you take regular medicines, our guide on bringing prescription medication into Saudi Arabia may help you prepare before travel, and it’s worth checking whether travel insurance covers any ongoing conditions before you go.
What Should I Do If I Become Ill During Umrah?
Illness and pain can feel particularly stressful during pilgrimage because pilgrims often feel pressure to complete every activity even when their body needs rest.
Do not ignore serious symptoms simply because you are in Makkah or Madinah.
Rest where necessary, drink appropriately, seek medical assistance when needed and continue making dua.
Our guide on what happens if you get sick during Umrah explains some of the practical steps pilgrims can take.
You can also prepare spiritually before travelling through our guide on how to prepare spiritually before your journey to Makkah.
Which Dua Should I Memorise First?
If you want to memorise only one dua specifically for physical pain, start with the one directly taught by the Prophet ﷺ:
A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
Remember the Sunnah method as well:
Bismillah three times, then the dua seven times.
After that, the healing dua:
Allahumma Rabb an-nas, adhhib al-ba’s…
is another excellent supplication to learn.
These two authentic duas are more useful than memorising a long list of unsupported formulas for every separate type of pain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dua for Pain
What is the best dua for physical pain?
The most direct authentic dua is the one taught in Sahih Muslim 2202. Put your hand over the painful area, say Bismillah three times, then recite “A’udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir” seven times. (Sunnah.com)
Can I read the same dua for headache, back pain and toothache?
Yes. The hadith refers generally to pain in the body, so there is no need to invent a different Prophetic dua for every body part.
Can I read Surah Al-Fatihah for healing?
Yes. Authentic hadith evidence shows Surah Al-Fatihah being used as ruqyah. (Sunnah.com)
Can I recite Al-Falaq and An-Nas when I am sick?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ recited the Mu’awwidhat during illness and blew over himself. (Sunnah.com)
Can I make my own dua for pain?
Yes. You can ask Allah for healing in your own words. What matters is not to claim that a personally written dua is a specific Prophetic supplication unless there is evidence for it.
Should I still see a doctor if I am making dua?
Yes. Dua and medical treatment can be used together. Seek appropriate medical help for persistent, severe or concerning symptoms.
Final Thoughts
The best Islamic approach to pain is not to collect as many different phrases as possible. It is to use authentic duas with understanding and sincerity.
For physical pain, begin with the Sunnah dua taught in Sahih Muslim. For illness, ask Allah with “Allahumma Rabb an-nas…”, recite Qur’an such as Al-Fatihah, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, and remember the dua of Prophet Ayyub.
Then take the practical steps needed to care for your health.
A Muslim places trust in Allah while also using the means Allah has made available for treatment and recovery.
