When illness touches our lives or the lives of those we love, the heart instinctively turns toward the Creator. In Islam, the Quran is not just a book of guidance but also a source of comfort and spiritual medicine. The Ayat E Shifa (Verses of Healing) refer to six specific verses in the Holy Quran that mention healing (Shifa) directly. These verses remind believers that ultimately, all cure and restoration of health come from Allah (SWT).
While modern medicine is a blessing we are encouraged to use, the spiritual remedy found in the Ayat E Shifa provides peace to the soul and invokes Allah’s mercy for physical and emotional recovery.
What is Ayat E Shifa?
The term Ayat E Shifa translates to “Verses of Healing.” These are six specific verses selected by Islamic scholars from different Surahs of the Quran. Unlike general Ruqyah (spiritual healing), which uses various parts of the Quran, these six verses specifically contain the word Shifa (healing/cure) or a derivative of it.
For centuries, pious scholars and believers have recited these verses for spiritual strength during times of sickness. They serve as a powerful reminder that while medicine treats the body, the Quran treats the heart and soul, and Allah is Ash-Shafi—The Ultimate Healer.
The 6 Ayat E Shifa: Arabic, English & Meaning
Below are the six verses known as Ayat E Shifa. It is recommended to recite them with focus, sincerity, and a heart full of trust (Tawakkul) in Allah.
1. Surah At-Tawbah (9:14)
Arabic Text:
وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Transliteration:
Wa yashfi sudoora qawmin mu’mineen.
English Translation:
“And [God] will heal the breasts of a believing people.”
Explanation:
This verse speaks to the healing of hearts. Often, illness brings anxiety and distress. This verse reassures the believer that Allah soothes the internal turmoil and brings peace to the chests of those who have faith.
2. Surah Yunus (10:57)
Arabic Text:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Transliteration:
Ya ayyuha an-nasu qad ja’atkum maw’izatun min Rabbikum wa shifa’un lima fi as-sudoori wa hudan wa rahmatun lil-mu’mineen.
English Translation:
“O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.”
Explanation:
Here, Allah describes the Quran itself as a Shifa (healing) for what is inside the hearts. This includes healing from doubts, ignorance, and spiritual diseases, which often manifest as physical ailments.
3. Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
Arabic Text:
يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ
Transliteration:
Yakhruju min butooniha sharabun mukhtalifun alwanuhu feehi shifaun linnas.
English Translation:
“There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people.”
Explanation:
This verse refers to honey. While it speaks of a physical substance, it highlights Allah’s power to place Shifa in his creation. It connects the physical cure (honey) with the divine decree of healing.
4. Surah Al-Isra (17:82)
Arabic Text:
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Transliteration:
Wa nunazzilu mina al-qurani ma huwa shifaun wa rahmatun lil-mu’mineen.
English Translation:
“And We send down of the Quran, that which is healing and mercy for the believers.”
Explanation:
This is perhaps the most direct statement regarding the Quran healing verses. It confirms that the Quran is not just a book of law, but a vessel of mercy and cure for those who believe in it.
5. Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:80)
Arabic Text:
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Transliteration:
Wa idha maridtu fahuwa yashfeen.
English Translation:
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
Explanation:
These are the words of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). This verse teaches us proper etiquette (Adab) with Allah—attributing sickness to oneself or natural causes, but attributing the cure solely to Allah. It is a powerful affirmation of Tawhid (Oneness of God) in healing.
6. Surah Fussilat (41:44)
Arabic Text:
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ
Transliteration:
Qul huwa lillatheena amanoo hudan wa shifa.
English Translation:
“Say, ‘It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure.'”
Explanation:
Allah reiterates that for the believers, the revelation is a guide and a source of Shifa. It implies that faith is a prerequisite for unlocking the full healing potential of the Quran.
Benefits of Reciting Ayat E Shifa
Why do Muslims turn to these verses? The benefits of reciting Ayat E Shifa extend beyond the physical realm into the spiritual and emotional:
- Strengthens Connection with Allah: Sickness often makes us feel vulnerable. Reciting these verses reminds us that we are never alone and that Allah is in control.
- Reduces Anxiety: The rhythmic recitation of the Quran calms the nervous system and brings Sakina (tranquility) to the heart.
- Spiritual Cleansing: It helps remove negative energy, doubts, and whispers of Shaytan that can worsen an illness.
- Enhances Efficacy of Medicine: By reciting these verses, a believer asks Allah to bless the medical treatment they are undergoing, making it more effective by His will.
Spiritual vs. Physical Healing in Islam
It is crucial to understand the Islamic balance between Tawakkul (trust in God) and Asbab (taking means). Islam does not teach us to abandon medicine.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
Ayat E Shifa falls under the category of spiritual healing. It is used alongside physical medicine, not as a replacement for it. If you have a broken bone, you need a doctor to set it; reciting Quran heals the pain, gives you patience, and invokes Allah to make the bone knit together perfectly.
How to Use Ayat E Shifa for Healing
There are several traditional ways to utilize these powerful verses for Shifa in Quran. Always begin with Wudu (ablution) and pure intentions.
1. Direct Recitation
Sit by the sick person (or yourself), place your hand on the area of pain (if appropriate), and recite the six verses with concentration.
2. Blowing on Water (Ruqyah Water)
- Take a glass or bottle of pure water.
- Recite the 6 Ayat E Shifa.
- After each verse, blow gently onto the water (a dry spit/breath called Nafath).
- Drink the water or give it to the patient to drink.
3. Blowing on Hands
Recite the verses into your cupped hands and wipe them over your body or the body of the sick person, just as the Prophet (ﷺ) used to do with the 3 Quls before sleeping.
Can Ayat E Shifa Cure Diseases? An Islamic Perspective
Can reciting these verses cure cancer, diabetes, or chronic pain? The answer lies in the will of Allah. We believe the Quran has the potential to cure anything, but the decree lies with Allah.
Sometimes, the cure we get is physical recovery. Other times, the Shifa granted is spiritual—patience, strength to endure, and the forgiveness of sins through suffering. A “cure” in Islam isn’t always the removal of symptoms; sometimes, it is the elevation of the soul.
However, countless believers have shared testimonies of recovery from severe illnesses after combining medical treatment with sincere recitation of Ayat E Shifa and Dua.
Important FAQs About Ayat E Shifa
Here are answers to the most common questions regarding Quran healing verses to help you understand them better.
How many Ayat E Shifa are there?
There are widely accepted to be six specific verses in the Quran that contain the word Shifa (healing) or its derivatives. These are found in Surahs At-Tawbah, Yunus, An-Nahl, Al-Isra, Ash-Shu’ara, and Fussilat.
Can Ayat E Shifa be recited for a sick person?
Yes, absolutely. It is a Sunnah to recite the Quran over the sick. You can recite it for your parents, children, friends, or anyone suffering from illness.
Is Ayat E Shifa from the Quran?
Yes, all six verses are authentic verses from the Holy Quran. They are not a separate innovation but are selected verses that share the theme of healing.
Can Ayat E Shifa remove black magic?
While these verses are powerful, black magic (Sihr) is typically treated with specific Ruqyah verses, such as Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat al-Kursi, and the 3 Quls (Ikhlas, Falaq, Nas). However, Ayat E Shifa can be part of the general Ruqyah process to heal the damage caused by spiritual affliction.
When should Ayat E Shifa be read?
There is no restricted time. You can read them:
- After Fajr or Maghrib prayers.
- When taking medicine.
- When feeling pain or distress.
- Before going to sleep.
A Heartfelt Dua for Healing
We end this guide with a prayer for you and your loved ones. If you are reading this while in pain or worry, know that Allah hears your silent whispers.
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the severity of the illness and cure it. You are the Healer; there is no cure but Your cure, a cure that leaves no illness behind.” (Bukhari)
Ya Allah, for the sake of Your majestic words in the Ayat E Shifa, grant complete and lasting health to anyone reading this who is sick. Bless their bodies with strength, their hearts with patience, and their homes with peace. Ameen.
Onais is an Arabic language specialist who completed his Bachelor’s in Arabic from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree there. Having lived in the UAE for 17 years, he brings strong command of Middle Eastern Arabic dialects and focuses on practical, easy-to-understand Arabic language courses.
