Authentic Supplication When Ill and Seeking Recovery

Short answer

There is an authentic supplication from the Prophet SAW to be recited when ill. Among them is the instruction to place one’s hand on the painful area, recite Bismillah three times, then recite the supplication for protection seven times, in Sahih Muslim no. 2202.

Translation

Place your hand on the part of your body that is in pain. Say “In the name of Allah” three times, then say seven times: “I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”

Narrator

Uthman bin Abi al-As al-Thaqafi RA (main wording); Aishah RA (additional supplication)

Sources and scholars

Imam Muslim; Imam al-Bukhari

Scholarly commentary

1. Imam Muslim narrated this instruction in Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salam, no. 2202, from Uthman bin Abi al-As al-Thaqafi RA.
2. Imam al-Bukhari narrated the supplication for seeking recovery from Aishah RA in Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Bab Ruqyah al-Nabi, no. 5743. Both are separate authentic narrations.

Explanation

1. What supplication may be recited when the body is in pain?

Place the hand on the painful area. Recite بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ three times, then recite أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ seven times. This is the wording of the narration of Muslim presented above.

2. Is there another supplication for seeking recovery?

Yes. In the narration of al-Bukhari no. 5743, the Prophet SAW recited: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا. Its meaning is: O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove this ailment and cure him. You are the One who cures. There is no cure except Your cure, a cure that leaves no illness behind.

3. Does this guarantee that every person will recover immediately?

This hadith teaches supplication and reliance upon Allah. It does not stipulate a period of recovery for every patient. Supplicate while continuing efforts to obtain appropriate treatment.

Conclusion

Status: Authentic. The supplication narrated by Muslim no. 2202 and the supplication narrated by al-Bukhari no. 5743 may be practiced when ill.