For physical pain, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught a specific supplication: place your hand on the painful area, say “Bismillāh” three times, then seek Allah’s protection seven times with a prescribed phrase. This is a Sunnah practice (the Prophet’s guidance and example), not a promise of instant relief or a replacement for medical care. You can recite it while also taking sensible steps to understand and treat the pain.
The Sunnah dua to say when you feel pain
Place your hand on the part of your body where you feel the pain. Say “Bismillāh” (“In the name of Allah”) three times. Then say the following supplication seven times:
**Arabic:** أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
**Transliteration:** *A‘ūdhu billāhi wa qudratihi min sharri mā ajidu wa uhādhir.*
**Meaning:** “I seek refuge with Allah and His power from the evil that I find and fear.” This is the practice taught in the hadith of ‘Uthmān ibn Abi al-‘Ās, who complained to the Prophet ﷺ of pain in his body. You can read the hadith of ‘Uthmān ibn Abi al-‘Ās on HadeethEnc for its full wording and source.
What the supplication means—and what it does not promise
The words ask Allah for protection from the harm associated with the pain: both what you are experiencing and what you fear. They direct your request to Allah, while acknowledging that pain can be frightening and that its outcome is not under your control. You can recite them for yourself or say them for someone you are caring for, following the reported instruction to place a hand on the painful area.
The hadith gives a way to make dua; it does not say that every recitation will bring immediate relief or guarantee a cure. Pain may continue, change, or need investigation. If you do not feel better straight away, that is not proof that you recited incorrectly or that your prayer was rejected. Find reassurance when a dua does not bring immediate relief if you are struggling with that uncertainty.
Dua, patience, and seeking treatment
Turning to Allah and seeking help through prayer can accompany practical action. The Qur’an teaches: “O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 2:153) Patience here need not mean ignoring pain or refusing care; it can include continuing to pray while taking appropriate steps to address what is wrong.
The Qur’an also says: “And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me;” (Surah Ash-Shu‘araa, 26:80) Muslims understand healing as ultimately from Allah, while using treatment and seeking qualified medical advice as part of responding to illness. Dua and medicine are not competing choices. For more on combining supplication with care, learn how authentic ruqyah complements medical care. You can also find the right dua for your situation when you need a supplication for another circumstance.
When to seek medical help
Do not delay urgent medical help for severe pain, pain that is getting worse, or pain accompanied by alarming symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fainting, sudden weakness, or heavy bleeding. If pain persists, keeps returning, or has no clear explanation, arrange an assessment with a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on supplication alone.
If you are caring for someone else, help them access care when needed and recite the dua with them if they welcome it. A clinician can assess possible causes and recommend treatment; the supplication remains a way to ask Allah for protection and healing alongside that care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the powerful dua to cure pain?
The Sunnah supplication asks Allah for refuge from the harm you feel and fear; it should not be treated as a guaranteed cure. Place your hand over the painful area, say “Bismillāh” three times, then recite the refuge supplication seven times.
How many times should I recite the dua for pain?
Say “Bismillāh” three times, followed by the main supplication seven times. Keep the two counts distinct; the hadith does not instruct you to repeat the entire sequence seven times.
Can I make dua for pain while also taking medicine?
Yes. You can recite the dua while using prescribed or otherwise appropriate treatment. Tell your healthcare professional about your symptoms and medicines, and do not stop a treatment without discussing it with them.
For pain, place your hand on the affected area, say “Bismillāh” three times, and recite the refuge supplication seven times. Ask Allah for healing without treating the dua as a guaranteed cure, and seek medical care when symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening, or unexplained.
Sources quoted
Every quotation was checked word for word against the Quran and hadith texts in our database.
The Al Muslim Plus editorial team · tested on October 11, 2026