It was reported in the purified Sunnah some Adhkar (invocations and Remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis) and invocations which are used to cure the sick. Allah made these invocations causes for cure and good health, and I shall mention some of these Adhkar and invocations. One of the greatest invocations that are used to cure the sick is Surat Al Fatihah for it is sufficient and curative. It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that a group of the Companions of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) proceeded on a journey till they dismounted near one of the Arab tribes and requested them to entertain them as their guests, but they (the tribe people) refused to entertain them. Then the chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion) and he was given all sorts of treatment, but all in vain. Some of them said: "Will you go to the group (those travelers) who have dismounted near you and see if one of them has something useful?" They came to them and said: "O the group! Our leader has been bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion) and we have treated him with everything but nothing benefited him. Has anyone of you got anything useful?" One of them replied: "Yes, by Allah, I know how to treat with a Ruqyah. But, by Allah, we wanted you to receive us as your guests but you refused. I will not treat your patient with a Ruqyah till you fix for us something as wages." Consequently, they agreed to give those travelers a flock of sheep. The man went with them (the people of the tribe) and started spitting (on the bite) and reciting Surat Al Fatihah till the patient was healed and started walking as if he had not been sick. When the tribe people paid them their wages which they had agreed upon, some of them (the Prophet's Companions) said: "Distribute (the sheep)." But the one who treated with the Ruqyah said: "Do not do that till we go to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and mention to him what has happened, and see what he will order us." So, they came to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and mentioned the story to him and he said: "How do you know that Surat Al Fatihah is a Ruqyah? You have done the right thing. Divide (what you have got) and assign for me a share with you." [Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 5749 and Sahih Muslim No.: 2201].

This Hadith shows the greatness of this Surah and proves that it has a great effect in the cure of a sick and the removal of sickness by the will of Allah.

Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) commented on this Hadith saying: Using Al Fatihah as a cure removed the effect of that sickness as if a person had not been sick. It is the easiest cure, and if a person uses Al Fatihah well for treatment, he will see amazing results. I stayed in Makkah for a while having some pains which neither a doctor nor a medicine could cure me of, but when I treated myself with Surat Al Fatihah, it had amazing results in removing my pains. So, I used to describe Surat Al Fatihah for those who suffered pains and many of them were rapidly cured. [Al Jawab Al Kafy: P. 5].

Of the things that are used for curing the sick is Al Mu`awwidhat [Surat Al Ikhlas, Surat An-Nas, and Surat Al Falaq].

It was authentically reported in the books of authentic Hadiths on the authority of `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) suffered pains, he would recite Al Mu`awwidhat and blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these Surahs) and rub with his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. [Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 5016, and Sahih Muslim No. 2192].

It was reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated: When any of the Prophet’s family fell ill, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to blow over them by reciting Mu`awwidhat. [Sahih Muslim No. 2192].

As for his saying: "Mu`awwidhat," i.e., Surat Al Ikhlas, Surat Al Falaq, and Surat An-Nas, and Surat Al Ikhlas was included with them because it implies the attributes of the Lord even if seeking refuge with Allah is not mentioned therein. [See: Fathul-Bary of Ibn Hajar (9/62)].

The Hadith shows the greatness of these three Surahs and proves that they are cure for pain by the will of Allah. There are many Hadiths reported to illustrate the greatness of these Surahs, and Al Mu`awwidhat have great effect, particularly if the sickness is due to sorcery, envy, or suchlike.

Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said in the introduction of his commentary on Al Mu`awwidhatayn: The summary is: It is important to speak about these two Surahs [Surat An-Nas and Surat Al Falaq] and show their great benefit and the dire need to them, in addition to explaining that no one can do without them because they have special impact on removing sorcery, envy, and all kinds of evil. So, the need of a person to these Surahs is greater than his need to breathing, food, drink, and clothes. [See: Bada'i` Al Fawa'id of Ibn Al Qayyim (2/199) then he elaborated on them and explained their great benefit].

Episode ??: Invocations used to cure the sick (2/2)

Of the invocations that are used to cure a sick person is the Hadith that was reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of `Uthman ibn Abu Al `As that he complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) of a pain in his body since he embraced Islam. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him: "Place your hand on the spot where you feel pain in your body and say Bismillah (in the name of Allah) three times then say: A`udhu billahi wa Qudratihi Min Sharri Ma Ajidu Wa Uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear) seven times." [Sahih Muslim No. 2202].

As for his saying: "Min Sharri Ma Ajidu Wa Ukadhiru," i.e., from the evil which I find, from pain, and from anything that I fear.

This implies seeking refuge from the pain a person suffers and from the pain he does not know about or fears to occur in the future such as the increase of pain or the escalation of disease and which happens a lot but this great invocation contains seeking refuge with Allah against all these symptoms.

It was authentically reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that Gabriel came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: "O Muhammad, Do you feel pain? He said: Yes. He said: "Bismillahi Arqika Min Kulli Shayi’n Yu’dhik, Min Sharri Kulli Nafsin Aw `Iyn Hasid. Allahu Yushfik, Bismillahi Arqik. [In the name of Allah I protect you from everything and safeguard you from every evil that may harm you and from the eye of a jealous one. Allah would cure you and I invoke the name of Allah for you]." [Sahih Muslim: No. 2186].

It was authentically reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim on the authority of `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to protect some of his family by passing his right hand over the place of ailment and used to say: "Allahumma Rabba An-Nas Adhhib Al Bas, Washfi Anta Ash-Shafy La Shifa' Illa Shifa'uk Shifa'an La Yughadiru Suqma. [O Allah, the Lord of the people! Remove the trouble and heal the patient, for You are the Healer. No healing is of any avail but Yours; healing that will leave behind no ailment]." [Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 5743, and Sahih Muslim No. 2191].

In another narration, she said: "When any person amongst us fell ill, Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) used to rub him with his right hand and then say: ... And she mentioned the invocation." [Sahih Muslim: 2191]. In another narration, she said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication as the words of incantation: Then she mentioned the Invocation." [Sahih Muslim: 2191].

It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari from `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Suhayb that he said: Thabit and I went to Anas ibn Malik. Thabit said: "O Abu Hamzah! I am sick." On that Anas said: "Shall I treat you with the Ruqyah of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him)?" Thabit said: "Yes." Anas recited: "Allahumma Rabba An-Nas Adhhib Al Bas, Washfi Anta Ash-Shafy La Shifa' Illa Shifa'uk Shifa'an La Yughadiru Suqma. [O Allah! The Lord of the people, the Remover of trouble! (Please) cure (Heal) (this patient), for You are the Healer. None brings about healing but You; a healing that will leave behind no ailment]." [Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 5742].

As for the Prophet's saying: "O Allah! The Lord of Mankind," it implies imploring Allah with His Lordship over all mankind: By creating them and running their affairs as in whose Hands life and death, health and sickness, richness and poverty, and power and weakness lie.

As for his saying: "Adhhib Al Bas," i.e., trouble and disease.

It was reported in the Hadith of Anas: "Allahumma Rabba An-Nas, Mudhhiba Al Bas," i.e., imploring Allah by His Power to remove the disease because sickness will not be removed but by His Permission and Will.

As for his saying: "Washfi Anta Ash-Shafy," it implies asking Allah for the cure and safety from diseases.

As for his saying: "Anta Ash-Shafy," it is imploring to Allah (Glory be to Him) that He alone can cure this disease as in His Saying: "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me." [Surat Ash-Shu`ara': 80].

As for his saying: "La Shifa'a Illa Shifa'uk," it contains affirmation to what has been previously mentioned and admission that if the cure and treatment are not supported by the permission of Allah, it will be of no avail.

As for his saying: "Shifa'an La Yughadiru Suqma," i.e., does not leave out any disease or ailment. The benefit is: This cure may happen but another disease may take over as a result of the previous disease, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Allah to cure him without leaving a mark or even cause any other disease, and that is one of the signs of his Prophethood.

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