Dua’ for one who is sick

What dua' can one say for a person who is sick? For example, a parent
for a sick child? Or for any family member or friend who is ill? Or
even a dua' for a sick person to say for himself?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has taught us
things in such cases in which there is healing and a lessening of
sickness, as well as reward. That is part of Allah s mercy towards
this blessed ummah and the Prophet's care for it. He is the one whom
Allah described as (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad saws) from
amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any
injuryor difficulty. He is anxious over you; for thebelievers (he is)
full of pity, kind, and merciful. [al-Tawbah 9:128]
Among the things that he taught us are the following:
1 - Reciting al-Faatihah
It was narrated from Abu Sa eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with
him)that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah beupon him)
described Soorat al-Faatihah as a ruqyah, and he approved of the
Sahaabi who recitedit as a ruqyah for the one who had been stung by a
scorpion.
- Al-Bukhaari (2156) and Muslim (2201).
Ibn al-Qayyim said about reciting Soorat al-Faatihah:
"There was a time when I fell sick in Makkah, and I could not find a
doctor or any medicine, so I treated myself by reciting it. I would
take some Zamzamwater and recite it over it several times, then drink
it. I recovered fully by these means, then I beganto do that whenever
I felt alot of pain, and I benefited greatly from it."
- Zaad al-Ma aad (4/164).
2. "Lord of the Magnificent Throne"
The following dua' is givenin "Fortress of the Muslim",to be recited
for one who is ill:
Dua for sickness and ill health
Transliteration: 'As'alullaahal-'Adheema Rabbal-'Arshil-'Adheemi 'an
yashfiyaka.
Meaning: I ask Almighty Allah , Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to
make you well. (Recite seven times in Arabic)
Reference: At-Tirmithi, AbuDawud. See also Al-Albani, Sahih
At-Tirmithi 2/210 and Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 5/180.
3 - "You are the Healer"
It was narrated from Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that
when any of us fell sick, the Messenger of Allah (peaceand blessings
of Allah be upon him) would wipe him with his right hand then say: "
Adhhib il-ba's, Rabbi l-naas washfi anta al-Shaafi laa shifaa ailla
shifaa uka shifaa an laa yughaadir saqaman. (Remove the harm, O Lord
of humankind and heal him, for You are the Healer and there is no
healing except Your healing, with a healing which does not leave any
disease behind)."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5675) and Muslim (2191).
4 - Al Mu'awidhatayn (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Naas)
It was narrated that Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
"If one of his family fell sick, the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) would blow over him and recite
al-Mu'awwidhaat. When he fell sick with his final illness, I started
to blow over him and wipe him with his own hand, because it was more
blessed than my hand."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5735) and Muslim (2192).
5 - Bismillah and dua'
It was narrated from Uthmaan ibn Abi l- Aas al-Thaqafi that he
complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) about some pain that he had felt in his body since he became
Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) said to him: "Put your hand on the part of your body that hurts
and say: 'Bismillaah' (in the nameof Allah) three times, then say
seven times: 'I seek refuge in Allah and His Power from the evil of
what I find and I fear.'"
- Narrated by Muslim (2202).
6 - "In the Name of Allah I perform ruqyah"
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with
him)that Jibreel came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said:"O Muhammad, are
you sick?" He said: "Yes." He said: "In the name of AllahI perform
ruqyah foryou, from everything that is harming you, from the evilof
every soul or envious eye may Allah heal you, in the name of Allah I
perform ruqyah for you."
- Narrated by Muslim (2186).
7. - "Allah Who is in heaven"
It was narrated that Abul-Darda (may Allaah bepleasedwith him) said: I
heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings ofAllaah be upon
him) say: "Whoever among you suffers some sickness, orhis brother
suffers some sickness, let him say: 'Our Lord Allah Who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name, Your will is done in heaven and on earth; as
Your mercy is inheaven, bestow it upon the earth. Forgive us our sins.
You are the Lord of the good. Send down Your mercy and healing upon
this pain' ; and he will be healed."
- Narrated by Abu Dawood(3892);

Dua for Anxiety and Stress

Alhamdulillah, here are some dua'a to make whenunder stress and
experiencing anxiety. Theyare a means of dispelling fear, of seeking
forgiveness of Allah, seeking His aid, protection and guidance. They
are the words of the Messenger of Allah (sall'allahu alayhi wasallam)
and hence anyone that sincerely makes these dua during times of great
need Allah will always answer the dua of the sinere seeker. May they
be of benefit to us all for there is not a time in the life of a
believer when he or she does not need the protection, guidance and
mercy of Allah.
And those that turn to Allah sincerely imploring His aid should know
that in reality it is Allah turningto His servant, for, "When Allah
wants to be good to someone, He tries him with some hardship." (Abu
Hurairah)
General advice from Prophet Muhammad (sall'allahu alayhi wasallam)
when youare in distress or suffering from anxiety:
In hadith #599 narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas in Sunan Abu Dawood, The
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If anyone continually asks pardon,
Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief
from every anxiety, and will provide for him fromwhere he did not
reckon.
When in distress or difficulty or sorrow:
Source for this dua subsection: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4, no 128
1. Ibn 'Abbas reported, "The Prophet, peace be upon him, at times of
sorrow and grief used to supplicate, La ilaha illa Allah Al-'Azim,
Al-'Alim, la ilaha illa Allah, Rabbul 'arshil 'Azim, la ilaha illa
Allahu, Rabbus-Samawati wa rabbul ardi wa rabbul 'arshi karim ( There
is no god but Allah, the Mighty, theForbearing, there is no god but
Allah, the Lord of the mighty throne, there is no god but Allah, the
Lord of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of the throne of honor
)'."
Source: Bukhari and Muslim.
2. Anas said that when theProphet, peace be upon him, was faced with a
serious difficulty, he wouldalways supplicate, "Ya Hayyu, ya Qayyumu,
bi-rahmatika astaghithu ( O the Living, O the Eternal, I seek help in
Your grace )."
Source: Tirmidhi
3. Abu Hurairah reported that whenever the Prophet, peace be upon him,
was faced with a serious difficulty, he wouldraise his head to the sky
and supplicate, "Subhan-Allah al-'Azim ( glory be to Allah, the Mighty
)." And when he implored seriously and strongly, he would say, "Ya
Hayyu, Ya Qayyum ( O the Living, the Eternal One )."
Source: Tirmidhi
4. Abu Bakrah reported that the Prophet, peace beupon him, said, "The
supplications of distress are, 'Allahumma rahmataka arju, fala takilni
ila nafsi tarfata 'ain, wa aslah li sha'ni kullahu, la ilaha illa anta
( O Allah, I hope for Your mercy, so give me not over to my self even
for as little as wink of an eye, and set right all my affairs, there
is no god but You )."
Source: Abu Daw'ud
5. Asma, daughter of 'Amais, reported that the Prophet, peace be upon
him, asked her, "Shall I tellyou words that you may say in times of
pain or distress. These are, 'Allah, Allah, Rabbi la ushriku bihi
shai'an ( Allah, Allah, my Lord, I associate none with Him )." Another
narration says that these words should be said seven times.
Source: Abu Daw'ud
6. Sa'd ibn Waqas reportedthat the Prophet, peace beupon him, said,
"The supplication made by the Companion of the Fish (Prophet Yunus) in
the belly of the fish was, 'La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu
minadh-dha limin ( thereis no god but You, You are far exalted and
above all weaknesses, and I was indeed the wrongdoer )'. If any Muslim
supplicates in these words, his supplication will be accepted."
In another report we read, "I know words that will cause Allah to
remove one's distress. These are the words (of supplication) of my
brother Yunus, peace be upon him."
Source: Tirmidhi
7. Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet, peace beupon him, said, "If
any servant of Allah afflicted with distress or grief makes this
supplication, his supplication will be accepted: ' O Allah, I am Your
servant, son of Yourservant, son of your maidservant. My forehead is
in Your hand.Your command conceming me prevails, and Your decision
concerning me is just. I call upon You by every one of the beautiful
names by which You have described Yourself, or which You have revealed
in Your book, orhave taught anyone of Your creatures, or which You
have chosen to keepin the knowledge of the unseen with You, to make
the Qur'an the delight of my heart, the light of my breast, and
remover of my griefs, sorrows, and afflictions '." A supplication in
these words will be answered. Allah will remove one's affliction and
replace it with joy and happiness.
Source: Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban/

Can Dua Change Qadar?

What is the relationship between Dua (Supplication) and Qadar (Divine
Predestination)? Can Dua change Qadar?
Here's an answer from the scholars at IslamOnline.net:
Question:
Dear scholars, As-Salamu`alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I know
that belief in the Qadar (Divine predestination) is a prerequisite for
sound faith. However, I'dlike to know if there is any conflict between
theQadar and Du`a'? How can the Du`a' influence one's Qadar, which is
already predetermined by Allah, Most High. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
Answer:
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be
upon His Messenger.
Dear brother in Islam, we really thank you for showing keenness on
learning the teachings of Islam, and we appreciate the great
confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts meet your expectations.
In Islam Du`a' is the essence of worship as stated in an authentic
Hadith. Qadar (Divine predestination) is a pillar of faith in Allah,
as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned when asked
byAngel Jibril (Gabriel), peacebe upon him, about Iman (faith),
saying: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels,His Books, His
Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in Divine predestination,
both the good and the evil thereof."(Reported by Muslim)
The eminent Muslim scholar, Dr. `Atiyyah `A. Lashin, Professor of
Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University, states:
"Qadar, or Divine predestination is of two kinds:
1. Unconditional predestination
2. Conditional predestination.
Du`a' has nothing to do with the first kind, while itmay change the
second one. This ruling is based on the Hadith that reads:"Nothing
could change theQadar except Du`a'."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Hadith no. 277; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3,
Hadith no. 139; and classified as Hasan (good) Hadith by Al-Abaani in
Sahih Al-Jami`, Hadith no. 7687)"
Shedding more light on this issue, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi , former
president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and member of
the Fiqh Council of North America, answers:
"Du`a' has great power; it can change many things. We should always
pray to Almighty Allah and should never give up hope in the acceptance
of Du`a'. Du`a' is the most important act of worship. It does not mean
that we or any other human or jinn have power, but it means that
Allah, the Almighty, has power and He can do whatever He wills. Du`a'
is the recognition and acknowledgement of our dependence upon Allah,
Most High, and our deep faith that He can change anything. There are
many verses in the Qur'an and many Hadiths that emphasize the
importanceand necessity of Du`a'. TheProphet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, "Du`a' benefits in the things that have happened as
well as the things that have not happened yet. The calamity comes
down, but the Du`a' confronts itand they may continuously wrestle
until the Day of Resurrection." (Reported by Al-Hakim.)
In another Hadith, it is reported that the Prophet,peace and blessings
be upon him, said, "Nothing can change the Qadar except the Du`a'…"
This Hadith is reported by several authorities on Hadith, such as Imam
Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, Al-Hakim, and Ibn Majah… etc. Most of the scholars
ofHadith consider it an acceptable Hadith.
There is no contradiction between our faith in the power of Du`a' to
Allah and in our belief in the Qada' and Qadar of Allah. Scholars have
explained that there are two types of Qada' (Allah's Decrees):
a. those that are known asQada' Mubram (absolute decrees);
b. and those that are known as Qada' Mu`allaq (conditional decrees).
The absolute decrees do not change, but the conditional one may change
if and when the conditions are fulfilled. Such decrees are based on
the fulfillment of causes, as well as Du`a'. However, it is important
to keep in mind that every thing is inthe pre-existent knowledge of
Almighty Allah. The knowledge of Allah, Most High, does not change,
but the conditional decrees may change. Allah Almighty says in the
Qur'an: "Allah effaceth what He will, and establisheth (what He will),
and with Him is the source of ordinance." (Ar-Ra`d: 39)
Some people raise this question: if Allah Almightyknows the future and
His knowledge is always true, then things must happen according to His
knowledge. Then how can there be change and how can we say that we
have freedom? Actually, Muslim scholars have pointed out that
knowledge (`Ilm) is an illuminative, but not necessarily always an
effective, attribute. Allah the Almighty does know everything, but in
whatever areas He has given us freedom to act, we do act freely.

Best Times for Dua’

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be
accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as mentioned by Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times areas follows:
1. The Last Third Of The Night
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah'sMessenger
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'In the last third of every night our
Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)) descends
to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may
answer him?Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking
forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari,
Hadith Qudsi]
Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: 'Theclosest any
worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so
if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do
so.' [at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]
2. Late at night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer
hour if they can fight sleepand invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) for
whatever they need.
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'There is at night an
hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or
the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs)
every night.' [Muslim #757]
3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama
is not rejected.' [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521,at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih
al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
4. An Hour o­n Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: 'There is an hour o­n
Friday and if a Muslim getsit while offering Salat (prayer) and asks
something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala) will definitely meethis demand.' And he (the Prophet
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that
particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer's
leader) enters the mosque o­n Friday's prayer until the prayer is over
(ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the
last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib
prayer).
(Note: when we say an hour here we do not meanthe hour everyone knows
(60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time
counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam)had died.
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) said: 'Zamzam water is for whatit is drunk for.'
[Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]
This means that when youdrink Zamzam water you may ask Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from
this water such as healing from illness…. etc.
6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah'sMessenger
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: 'Thenearest a slave can be to his
Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and
others, Sahih al-Jami#1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, o­ne
should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but
for the Hereafter.
7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi
wasalam) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu
wahdahu la shrikalahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli
shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wala ilaha illallahu,
wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right
to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) He is the o­nly o­ne
who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) is the most
Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah!
Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), he will be
responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer),
hisSalat (prayer) will be accepted (Buhari)/