The Recommended Prayer by the Prophet During Illness

1. Protection from Hellfire

Abu Saʿid and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Table of Contents

The Recommended Prayer by the Prophet During Illness
1. Protection from Hellfire
2. The Prayer to Recite During Illness
3. Remembrances Contained in This Prayer and Their Hadiths
References

“Whoever recites this prayer during his illness and subsequently passes away will not be touched by the fire of Hell.”

This narration highlights the spiritual impact of prayers and remembrances (adhkār) recited at times of illness.

2. The Prayer to Recite During Illness

The following supplication (duʿāʾ) is recommended by the Prophet (peace be upon him) for those experiencing sickness:

Arabic Text

لا إله إلا الله والله أكبر

لا إله إلا الله وحده

لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له

لا إله إلا الله له الملك وله الحمد

لا إله إلا الله ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

Transliteration

Lā ilāha illāllāhu wallāhu akbar.

Lā ilāha illāllāhu waḥdah.

Lā ilāha illāllāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah.

Lā ilāha illāllāhu lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd.

Lā ilāha illāllāhu wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.

English Meaning

“There is no deity but Allah; Allah is the Greatest.

There is no deity but Allah; He is One.

There is no deity but Allah; He has no partner.

There is no deity but Allah; to Him belongs all sovereignty and all praise.

There is no deity but Allah; there is no power or might except by (the help of) Allah.”

This comprehensive prayer is a powerful spiritual resource, to be recited both with the heart and the tongue during times of illness.

3. Remembrances Contained in This Prayer and Their Hadiths

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that some statements of remembrance (adhkār) are considered “treasures of Paradise,” and frequent recitation of these can lead to sins falling away like leaves from a tree. Among these is the phrase:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

Which highlights the immense virtue in glorifying Allah, praising Him, affirming His oneness, proclaiming His greatness, and recognizing that all power and might belong solely to Him.

Abu Mūsā (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this ḥadīth:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to me: ‘Say: Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh. For it is one of the treasures of Paradise.’”

(See: Bukhārī, 7386; Muslim, 2704)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever says: Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh has a cure for ninety-nine ailments, the least of which is anxiety.”

(See: al-Ḥākim, no. 1990; al-Ṭabarānī, al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ, no. 5028)

From these narrations, we learn that frequently repeating “Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh” endows a believer with significant spiritual support in both worldly life and the Hereafter. By reciting such words, one can find solace and patience during illness, trusting in divine aid as a means of healing.