Ayat al-Shifa — Verses of Healing
Six verses of the Qur'an that explicitly mention shifa (healing/cure), gathered by the scholars and recited seeking healing of body, heart and soul.
The word or phrase about shifa is highlighted in each verse. Recite for healing alongside lawful medical treatment — Allah alone is the Healer (Ash-Shafi).
The six verses of healing
The Ayat al-Shifa are six well-known verses in which Allah mentions shifa — a cure or healing. Scholars and reciters have long gathered them to recite over the sick, into water to be drunk, or for spiritual relief, trusting that the Qur'an itself is "a healing and mercy for the believers" (17:82). They are often recited three or seven times with sincere supplication.
1 · Surat at-Tawbah 9:14
قَاتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ
"Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people."
A healing of the hearts — relief from grief, anger and anguish that Allah grants the believers. Healing is not only physical but emotional and spiritual.
2 · Surat Yunus 10:57
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts, and guidance and mercy for the believers."
The Qur'an cures the diseases of the heart — doubt, hypocrisy, envy and ignorance — replacing them with certainty, guidance and mercy.
3 · Surat an-Nahl 16:69
ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
"…There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."
The honey of the bee — a tangible cure created by Allah. The Prophet ﷺ recommended honey, and this verse is recited for physical illness in particular.
4 · Surat al-Isra 17:82
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا
"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."
A foundational proof that the Qur'an itself is shifa. Its healing is granted to those who approach it with faith; the heedless gain nothing but loss.
5 · Surat ash-Shu'ara 26:80
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
"And when I am ill, it is He who cures me."
The words of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام, attributing illness to creation and cure to Allah alone. A pure affirmation that healing comes only from Him.
6 · Surat Fussilat 41:44
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى
"Say, it is — for those who believe — a guidance and a cure. And those who do not believe — in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness."
The Qur'an is guidance and cure for the believer, while the rejecter shuts his own ears and eyes to its light. Healing depends on a receptive, believing heart.
A note on reciting for healing
The Qur'an's healing reaches the heart and soul certainly, and the body by Allah's leave. To recite the Ayat al-Shifa: begin with the isti'adha and basmalah, recite the verses (often together with Al-Fatihah and the Mu'awwidhat), blow into the hands and wipe over the body, or recite into water to drink. Hold firm trust that Allah is the only One who cures, and pair this with the lawful medical means He has provided. The Prophet ﷺ taught: "For every disease there is a cure" (Sahih Muslim 2204).