Illness & Healing

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْغِيبَةُ أَسْرَعُ فِي دِينِ الرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ مِنَ الْأَكِلَةِ فِي جَوْفِهِ قَالَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْجُلُوسُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ انْتِظَارَ الصَّلَاةِ عِبَادَةٌ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا يُحْدِثُ قَالَ الِاغْتِيَابَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Backbiting destroys the religion of a person faster than an internal cancerous disease.’ “The Imam has also said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Sitting in the mosque is worship as long as it does not happen.” He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, ‘What has not happened?’ He said,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمانِ‌ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ‌[4] قَالَ تَرْكُ الْعَمَلِ الَّذِي أَقَرَّ بِهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الصَّلَاةَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُقْمٍ وَ لَا شُغُلٍ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘The deeds of anyone who rejects belief, certainly, become fruitless. He, on the Day of Judgment will be of those who lose.’ (5:5) The Imam said, ‘It is disregarding the deeds that he has confessed to be true. Of such deeds i

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ‌[2] فَقَالَ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْعَمَلَ الَّذِي أَقَرَّ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَمَا مَوْضِعُ تَرْكِ الْعَمَلِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهُ أَجْمَعَ قَالَ مِنْهُ الَّذِي يَدَعُ الصَّلَاةَ مُتَعَمِّداً لَا مِنْ سُكْرٍ وَ لَا مِنْ عِلَّةٍ.

The Imam said, ‘ It is one who abandons the deed he has affirmed (believed in.)’ I then asked, ‘What is the extent of abandoning the deed? Until he leaves it entirely?’ The Imam said, ‘Among them is the one who intentionally abandons prayer, not out of drunkenness or illness.’”

لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ دَوَاءٌ وَ دَوَاءُ الذُّنُوبِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ[2].

“For everything there is a medicine and the medicine for sins is pleading (before Allah) for forgiveness.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَرْحَمَهُ حَتَّى أَسْتَوْفِيَ مِنْهُ كُلَّ خَطِيئَةٍ عَمِلَهَا إِمَّا بِسُقْمٍ فِي جَسَدِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِضِيقٍ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِخَوْفٍ فِي دُنْيَاهُ فَإِنْ بَقِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَقِيَّةٌ شَدَّدْتُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I swear by My Majesty and Glory, I will not take out of this world a servant whom I want to receive mercy until I will compensate from him for all the sins that he has committed. (I will do so) by causing illness in his body, cons

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِرَجُلٍ‌ إِنَّكَ قَدْ جُعِلْتَ طَبِيبَ نَفْسِكَ وَ بُيِّنَ لَكَ الدَّاءُ وَ عُرِّفْتَ آيَةَ الصِّحَّةِ وَ دُلِلْتَ عَلَى الدَّوَاءِ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ قِيَامُكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ.

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following to a man: “You have been made the physician for your own self. Medicine is prescribed for you; signs of good health are shown to you, and the direction for medicine is given to you. It is a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ خُذْ لِنَفْسِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ خُذْ مِنْهَا فِي الصِّحَّةِ قَبْلَ السُّقْمِ وَ فِي الْقُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الضَّعْفِ وَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ قَبْلَ الْمَمَاتِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Take from your soul for your soul. Take from it in good health before illness, during its strength before weakness and in its lifetime before death.”’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَلَيْكَ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘You must pray and plead before Allah for help; it is the cure to all diseases.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ دَعْوَتُهُمْ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ الْحَاجُّ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ تَخْلُفُونَهُ وَ الْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ تَخْلُفُونَهُ وَ الْمَرِيضُ فَلَا تَغِيظُوهُ وَ لَا تُضْجِرُوهُ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Three people’s prayers are accepted: one who has gone to performing Hajj, thus, consider how can you deal properly with his affairs in his absence, a soldier fighting for the cause of Allah, thus, consider how can you deal properly with his affairs in his absence, and a person suf

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي جَاراً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ آلِ مُحْرِزٍ قَدْ نَوَّهَ بِاسْمِي وَ شَهَرَنِي‌[4] كُلَّمَا مَرَرْتُ بِهِ قَالَ هَذَا الرَّافِضِيُّ يَحْمِلُ الْأَمْوَالَ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَادْعُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ فِي السَّجْدَةِ الْأَخِيرَةِ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأُولَيَيْنِ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have a neighbor from Quraysh from the family of Muhriz who propagates against me negatively. Whenever I pass by he calls me a Rafida (rejecting successors to the Holy Prophet who are not special members of his family) and that I collect funds for Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.).’ The

مَرِضَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قُلْ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ فَإِنَّ مَنْ قَالَ ذَلِكَ نُودِيَ لَبَّيْكَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ.

“When Isma’il son of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) became ill, Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) told him to say, ‘Ten times; O Lord.’ Whoever says this will be called, ‘Your call is heard and well noticed, ask what kind of help do you need?”’

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَالَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً صَرَفَ عَنْهُ سَبْعِينَ نَوْعاً مِنْ أَنْوَاعِ الْبَلَاءِ أَيْسَرُ ذَلِكَ الْخَنْقُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا الْخَنْقُ قَالَ لَا يَعْتَلُّ بِالْجُنُونِ فَيُخْنَقَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever says, “As Allah wills, there are no means and no power without the help of Allah,” seventy times, seventy kinds of misfortunes will be diverted away from him, the least of which is al-Khanq .’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause,

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَصْبَحْنَا وَ الْمُلْكُ لَهُ وَ أَصْبَحْتُ عَبْدَكَ وَ ابْنَ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنَ أَمَتِكَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ رِزْقاً مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَسِبُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَسِبُ وَ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَفِظُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَفِظُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ وَ لَا تَجْعَلْ لِي حَاجَةً إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَلْبِسْنِي الْعَافِيَةَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah Who has given us this morning and the kingdom belongs to Him. You have brought to this morning Your servant son of Your servant and son of Your female servant under Your control. O Lord, grant me sustenance through Your generosity, a sustenance from the sou

كُنْتُ كَثِيراً مَا أَشْتَكِي عَيْنِي فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً لِدُنْيَاكَ وَ آخِرَتِكَ وَ بَلَاغاً لِوَجَعِ عَيْنَيْكَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ تَقُولُ فِي دُبُرِ الْفَجْرِ وَ دُبُرِ الْمَغْرِبِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْكَ‌[1] صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اجْعَلِ النُّورَ فِي بَصَرِي وَ الْبَصِيرَةَ فِي دِي

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad al-Ju’Fi from his father who has said the following: “I often complained about my eyes and once I mentioned it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) and he said, ‘Should I teach you a supplication that will be for the good of your worldly life and he

أَبْطَأَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ص عَنْهُ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا أَبْطَأَ بِكَ عَنَّا فَقَالَ السُّقْمُ وَ الْفَقْرُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ فَلَا أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً يَذْهَبُ اللَّهُ عَنْكَ بِالسُّقْمِ وَ الْفَقْرِ قَالَ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ تَوَكَّلْتُ‌ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لا يَمُوتُ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّه

“Once one of the companions of the Holy Prophet delayed and when he came, the Messenger of Allah asked, ‘What caused you to delay?’ He replied, ‘Illness and poverty.’ He then said, ‘Should I teach you a supplication with which Allah will remove illness and poverty from you?’ He said, ‘Yes, O the Messenger of Allah, ple

خَرَجَ بِجَارِيَةٍ لَنَا خَنَازِيرُ فِي عُنُقِهَا فَأَتَانِي آتٍ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ قُلْ لَهَا فَلْتَقُلْ يَا رَءُوفُ يَا رَحِيمُ يَا رَبِّ يَا سَيِّدِي تُكَرِّرُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَتْهُ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهَا قَالَ وَ قَالَ هَذَا الدُّعَاءُ الَّذِي دَعَا بِهِ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ.

“Once in the neck of one of our female servant, a scrofula appeared, and someone came to me and said, O Ali, tell her to say, ‘O Compassionate, O Merciful, O Lord, O my Master,’ repeatedly. The Imam said, ‘She did as she was instructed and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, removed the disease.’ He (Imam) said th

كَانَ يَقُولُ عِنْدَ الْعِلَّةِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَيَّرْتَ أَقْوَاماً فَقُلْتَ‌ قُلِ ادْعُوا الَّذِينَ‌ زَعَمْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ‌ فَلا يَمْلِكُونَ كَشْفَ الضُّرِّ عَنْكُمْ وَ لا تَحْوِيلًا[1] فَيَا مَنْ لَا يَمْلِكُ كَشْفَ ضُرِّي وَ لَا تَحْوِيلَهُ عَنِّي أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اكْشِفْ ضُرِّي وَ حَوِّلْهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَدْعُو مَعَكَ إِلَهاً آخَرَ لَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ.

“For an ailment the Imam (a.s.) would say, ‘O Lord, You have criticized certain nations saying, “(Muhammad), tell them, ‘Seek help from those whom you consider equal to Allah. They are not able to remove or change your hardships’” (17:56) O the One besides whom no one is able to provide me relief or divert the hardship

مَرِضْتُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ مَرَضاً شَدِيداً فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عِلَّتُكَ فَاشْتَرِ صَاعاً مِنْ بُرٍّ ثُمَّ اسْتَلْقِ عَلَى قَفَاكَ‌[2] وَ انْثُرْهُ عَلَى صَدْرِكَ كَيْفَمَا انْتَثَرَ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي إِذَا سَأَلَكَ بِهِ الْمُضْطَرُّ- كَشَفْتَ مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ وَ مَكَّنْتَ لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ خَلِيفَتَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِ

“I fell severely ill in Madiana and Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) had found out about it. He wrote to me, ‘Your ailment has come to our notice and you should buy one Sa’a (about 3 kg) of wheat, lie down on your back, pour it on your chest, as is done and say, “O Lord, I plead before You through Your name with which when a helpl

اشْتَكَى بَعْضُ وُلْدِهِ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ قُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ اشْفِنِي بِشِفَائِكَ وَ دَاوِنِي بِدَوَائِكَ وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ بَلَائِكَ فَإِنِّي عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ.

“Once one of the sons of Imam (a.s.) complained from an ailment and he told him to say, ‘O Lord, cure me with Your treatment, provide me medication from Your medicine and relieve me from Your misfortune; I am Your servant, son of Your servant.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الَّذِي قَدْ ظَهَرَ بِوَجْهِي يَزْعُمُ النَّاسُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَبْتَلِ بِهِ عَبْداً لَهُ فِيهِ حَاجَةٌ فَقَالَ لِي لَا لَقَدْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ مُكَنَّعَ الْأَصَابِعِ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ هَكَذَا وَ يَمُدُّ يَدَهُ وَ يَقُولُ- يا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ‌ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ الثُّلُثُ الْأَخِيرُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فِي أَوَّ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) may Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, about this thing that has appeared on my face, people say that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not allow it to cause suffering to one about whom He cares.’ The Imam said, ‘No, that is not so. The fingers of the believin

إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الرَّجُلَ مَرَّ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ فَقُلِ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ وَ فَضَّلَنِي عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ وَ لَا تُسْمِعْهُ.

“Whenever you see a man afflicted with a misfortune, say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, Who has kept me safe from that with which you suffer, that He has given me preference over you and over many creatures,’ but be sure not to make him hear what you said.’”

تَضَعُ يَدَكَ عَلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي فِيهِ الْوَجَعُ وَ تَقُولُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ- اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي حَقّاً لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئاً اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ لَهَا وَ لِكُلِّ عَظِيمَةٍ فَفَرِّجْهَا عَنِّي.

“Place your hand over the painful part and say three times: Allah, Allah, my Lord in all truth, I do not believe in anything as His partner, O Lord, You are (the help) for this and all the great troubles, provide me relief from this pain.’”

لِلْأَوْجَاعِ‌ تَقُولُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ كَمْ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ لِلَّهِ فِي عِرْقٍ سَاكِنٍ وَ غَيْرِ سَاكِنٍ عَلَى عَبْدٍ شَاكِرٍ وَ غَيْرِ شَاكِرٍ وَ تَأْخُذْ لِحْيَتَكَ بِيَدِكَ الْيُمْنَى بَعْدَ صَلَاةٍ مَفْرُوضَةٍ وَ تَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ عَنِّي كُرْبَتِي وَ عَجِّلْ عَافِيَتِي وَ اكْشِفْ ضُرِّي ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ احْرِصْ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ مَعَ دُمُوعٍ وَ بُكَاءٍ.

“For pains say, ‘In the name of Allah, and with (the help of) Allah, how much is of the bounties of Allah in a painful or painless vein of a thankful or unthankful servant (of Allah).’ After an obligatory prayer hold your beard in your hand and say, ‘O Lord, relieve me from my pain with an immediate good health and rem

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَجَعاً بِي فَقَالَ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ امْسَحْ يَدَكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَمْعِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِأَسْمَاءِ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَحْذَرُ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَى نَفْسِي تَقُولُهَا سَبْعَ

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and complained to him from a pain that I suffered. The Imam instructed me to say, ‘In the name of Allah, wipe your hand on the painful area and say, “I seek protection through the power of Allah, I seek protection through the glory of Allah, I seek protection through

أَمِرَّ يَدَكَ عَلَى مَوْضِعِ الْوَجَعِ ثُمَّ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ امْسَحْ عَنِّي مَا أَجِدُ ثُمَّ تُمِرُّ يَدَكَ الْيُمْنَى وَ تَمْسَحُ مَوْضِعَ الْوَجَعِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ.

‘In the name of Allah, with (the help of) Allah, and through Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, there are no means and no power without Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, O Lord, remove and wipe away from me that which I feel,’ then wipe the painful area with your right hand three times.’”

تَضَعُ يَدَكَ عَلَى مَوْضِعِ الْوَجَعِ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ امْسَحْ عَنِّي مَا أَجِدُ وَ تَمْسَحُ الْوَجَعَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“Place your hand over the painful area then say, ‘In the name of Allah, with (the help of) Allah, and through Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, there are no means and no power without Allah, O Lord, wipe away from me that which I feel,’ and wipe the area three times.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ لِوَجَعٍ أَصَابَنِي قَالَ قُلْ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ- يَا اللَّهُ يَا رَحْمَانُ يَا رَحِيمُ يَا رَبَّ الْأَرْبَابِ وَ إِلَهَ الْآلِهَةِ وَ يَا مَلِكَ الْمُلُوكِ وَ يَا سَيِّدَ السَّادَةِ اشْفِنِي بِشِفَائِكَ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَ سُقْمٍ فَإِنِّي عَبْدُكَ أَتَقَلَّبُ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ.

“I asked him (the Imam) to teach me a supplication when I suffer from pain. He said during Sajdah (prostration) say, ‘O Allah, O the Beneficent, O the Merciful, O Lord of lords, O Lord of gods (things worshipped), O the King of kings, O Master of masters, cure me with Your treatment from all ailments and diseases; I am

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَى مَرِيضٍ فَقُلْ أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ عِرْقٍ نَفَّارٍ[1] وَ مِنْ شَرِّ حَرِّ النَّارِ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“When you visit a patient say, ‘I seek protection for you from Allah, the Great Lord of the great Throne against the evil of every swelling vein and the evil of the heat of fire,’ seven times.’”

إِذَا اشْتَكَى الْإِنْسَانُ فَلْيَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا يَشَاءُ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ.

‘In the name of Allah, with (the help of) Allah, and through Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, I seek protection with the majesty of Allah and I seek protection with the power of Allah over everything that He wills, against what I feel.’”

يَا مُنْزِلَ الشِّفَاءِ وَ مُذْهِبَ الدَّاءِ أَنْزِلْ عَلَى مَا بِي مِنْ دَاءٍ شِفَاءً.

“O the One who sends cures, and removes pain, send upon me a cure for that from which I suffer.”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَجَعاً بِي فَقَالَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَضَعْ يَدَكَ مَوْضِعَ سُجُودِكَ ثُمَّ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص اشْفِنِي يَا شَافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سُقْماً شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَ سُقْمٍ.

“After prayer place your hand on the area for your prostration and say, ‘In the name of Allah, Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, cure me O Healer; there is no cure except Your cure that leaves no ailment without being removed, the cure for all pain and ailments.’”

مَرِضَ عَلِيٌّ ص فَأَتَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ تَعْجِيلَ عَافِيَتِكَ وَ صَبْراً عَلَى بَلِيَّتِكَ وَ خُرُوجاً إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ.

“Once, Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) became ill. The Messenger of Allah visited him and said, ‘Say, O Lord, I plead before You for a quick recovery, (the ability to have) patience with misfortune from You and coming out of it into Your favors and mercy.”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص كَانَ يُنَشِّرُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ[2] تَضَعُ يَدَكَ عَلَى مَوْضِعِ‌ الْوَجَعِ وَ تَقُولُ أَيُّهَا الْوَجَعُ اسْكُنْ بِسَكِينَةِ اللَّهِ وَ قِرْ بِوَقَارِ اللَّهِ وَ انْحَجِزْ بِحَاجِزِ اللَّهِ وَ اهْدَأْ بِهَدْءِ اللَّهِ‌[1] أُعِيذُكَ أَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ بِمَا أَعَاذَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ عَرْشَهُ وَ مَلَائِكَتَهُ- يَوْمَ الرَّجْفَةِ وَ الزَّلَازِلِ‌[2] تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ لَ

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet would seek cure with this supplication. He would place his hand over the painful area and say, ‘O pain, calm down by the serenity of Allah, silence by

تَضَعُ يَدَكَ عَلَى مَوْضِعِ الْوَجَعِ وَ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ الَّذِي‌ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ‌ وَ هُوَ عِنْدَكَ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ أَنْ تَشْفِيَنِي بِشِفَائِكَ وَ تُدَاوِيَنِي بِدَوَائِكَ وَ تُعَافِيَنِي مِنْ بَلَائِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ تُصَلِّي عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.

“Place your hand over the painful area and say, ‘O Lord, I plead before You through the Holy Quran that the trusted Spirit brought (to Your Messenger) and it is before You in the original Book, high and full of wisdom, provide me cures with Your treatment, medication with Your medicine and good health from ailment You

عَرَضَ بِي وَجَعٌ فِي رُكْبَتِي فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِذَا أَنْتَ صَلَّيْتَ فَقُلْ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ وَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْحِمَ ارْحَمْ ضَعْفِي وَ قِلَّةَ حِيلَتِي وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ وَجَعِي قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُهُ فَعُوفِيتُ.

“Once my knee became painful and I complain before abu Ja’far (a.s.) and he instructed me to say after prayer, ‘O the Most Generous of the givers, O the Best of those pleaded for help, O the Most Merciful of the merciful ones, be kind to my weakness, lack of strength and grant me recovery from my pain.’ I (the narrator

يَسْأَلُهُ عُوذَةً لِلرِّيَاحِ الَّتِي تَعْرِضُ لِلصِّبْيَانِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ بِخَطِّهِ بِهَاتَيْنِ الْعُوذَتَيْنِ وَ زَعَمَ صَالِحٌ أَنَّهُ أَنْفَذَهُمَا إِلَيَّ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بِخَطِّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌ وَ لَا رَبَّ لِي إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌ لَهُ ال

10. Muhammad ibn Ja’far abu al-‘Abbas has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Salih ibn Sa’id from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Harun who wrote to abu Ja’iar (a.s.) asking for a supplication for protection of children against bothering gasses: “The Imam wrote in his own hand writing the following supplications for protect

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدْعُو عِنْدَ قِرَاءَةِ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُتَوَحِّدُ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ السُّلْطَانِ الْمَتِينِ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُتَعَالِي بِالْعِزِّ وَ الْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَ فَوْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ‌[6] رَبَّنَا وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُكْتَفِي بِعِلْمِكَ- وَ الْمُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْكَ كُلُّ ذِي عِلْمٍ رَبَّنَا وَ لَك

1. He [mursal = trasmitter] said: “Abū ‘Abdillāh (‘a.s.) used to supplicate thus when reading the Book of Allāh, to Whom belong Might and Majesty: ‘O Allāh! Our Lord! All praise is due to You – You are the Only One with power and firm authority. And all praise is due to You – You are the Exalted with might and grandeur

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ارْحَمْنِي مِمَّا لَا طَاقَةَ لِي بِهِ وَ لَا صَبْرَ لِي عَلَيْهِ.

‘(O Allah) grant mercy upon me in the matters for which I do not have the ability to remain patient.’”

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَجَعاً فِي صَدْرِهِ فَقَالَ ص اسْتَشْفِ بِالْقُرْآنِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ شِفاءٌ لِما فِي الصُّدُورِ[2].

“Once a man complained to the Holy Prophet for having pain in his chest and he (a.s.) said, ‘Seek a cure from the Holy Quran; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, “It is a cure for that which is in the chest (the heart).”’

وَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص بِالْحَقِّ وَ أَكْرَمَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَطْلُبُونَهُ مِنْ حِرْزٍ مِنْ حَرَقٍ أَوْ غَرَقٍ أَوْ سَرَقٍ أَوْ إِفْلَاتِ دَابَّةٍ مِنْ صَاحِبِهَا[2] أَوْ ضَالَّةٍ أَوْ آبِقٍ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَمَنْ أَرَادَ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَسْأَلْنِي عَنْهُ قَالَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَمَّا يُؤْمِنُ مِنَ الْحَرَقِ وَ الْغَرَقِ فَقَالَ

“I swear by the One who sent Muhammad (a.s.) with the truth and honored his family, all supplications for protection is in the Holy Quran. In the Holy Quran there is protection against fire, theft, straying of animals from the owner, lost items, or runaway persons. Whoever wants to know, ask me. The narrator has said t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ لَمْ يُبْرِئْهُ الْحَمْدُ لَمْ يُبْرِئْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

‘If al-Hamd, (the first Chapter of the Holy Quran) would not cure one, nothing else could cure one.’”

قُرَّاءُ الْقُرْآنِ ثَلَاثَةٌ رَجُلٌ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاتَّخَذَهُ بِضَاعَةً وَ اسْتَدَرَّ بِهِ الْمُلُوكَ‌[1] وَ اسْتَطَالَ بِهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ رَجُلٌ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَحَفِظَ حُرُوفَهُ وَ ضَيَّعَ حُدُودَهُ وَ أَقَامَهُ إِقَامَةَ الْقِدْحِ- فَلَا كَثَّرَ اللَّهُ هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ حَمَلَةِ الْقُرْآنِ‌[2] وَ رَجُلٌ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَوَضَعَ دَوَاءَ الْقُرْآنِ عَلَى دَاءِ قَلْبِهِ فَأَسْهَرَ بِهِ لَيْلَهُ وَ أَظْمَ

‘The readers of the Holy Quran are of three kinds: There is a man who has learned the Holy Quran and has taken it as a piece of merchandise to attract the rulers thereby and dominate the people. There is a man who has learned the Holy Quran, preserved its letters, but has lost its laws. He has kept its letters without

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَصْنَعَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا وَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ خُلَطَائِنَا مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تُؤَدُّونَ الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ تُقِيمُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ لَهُمْ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ تَعُودُونَ مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ تَشْهَدُونَ جَنَائِزَهُمْ.

2. Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan and Abu Ali al- Ash’ari from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘What is the proper way to deal with ourselves, our people, our associates and the people

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ اشْهَدُوا الْجَنَائِزَ وَ عُودُوا الْمَرْضَى وَ احْضُرُوا مَعَ قَوْمِكُمْ مَسَاجِدَكُمْ وَ أَحِبُّوا لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ جَارُهُ حَقَّهُ وَ لَا يَعْرِفَ حَقَّ جَارِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al- Husayn ibn Sa’id and Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Habib al-Khath’ami who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must maintain restraint from worldly attractions (sins), maintain persistence in wor

قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَصْنَعَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا وَ بَيْنَ خُلَطَائِنَا مِنَ النَّاسِ مِمَّنْ لَيْسُوا عَلَى أَمْرِنَا قَالَ تَنْظُرُونَ إِلَى أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تَقْتَدُونَ بِهِمْ فَتَصْنَعُونَ مَا يَصْنَعُونَ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَعُودُونَ مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ يَشْهَدُونَ جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ يُقِيمُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ لَهُمْ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ يُؤَدُّونَ الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَيْهِمْ.

“Once I asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘What is the proper way to deal with ourselves and our people, our associates of the people who do not believe as we do?’ The Imam said, ‘Look to your ‘A’immah (plural of Imam) whom you follow and do what they do. By Allah, they, (‘A’immah) visit their sick people, attend their funerals, p

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اقْرَأْ عَلَى مَنْ تَرَى أَنَّهُ يُطِيعُنِي مِنْهُمْ وَ يَأْخُذُ بِقَوْلِيَ السَّلَامَ وَ أُوصِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ الْوَرَعِ فِي دِينِكُمْ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ لِلَّهِ وَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ طُولِ السُّجُودِ وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ فَبِهَذَا جَاءَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص أَدُّوا الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَى مَنِ ائْتَمَنَكُمْ عَلَيْهَا بَرّاً أَوْ فَاجِراً فَإِنَّ ر

5. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from abu ‘Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Convey greetings of peace from me to all that you will see of those who obey me and uphold my words. Tell them that I enjoin upo

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ‌[1] إِذَا عَطَسَ يَقُولَ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ يَقُولَ لَهُ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَيُجِيبَهُ فَيَقُولَ لَهُ يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ يُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One of the rights of a Muslim on his brother (in belief) is that on meeting him he should offer him the greeting of peace, visit him when he is ill, look after his interests in his absence and when sneezing one should say: “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, who has no pa

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَحْصَيْتُ فِي الْبَيْتِ أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلًا فَعَطَسَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا تَكَلَّمَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَلَّا تُسَمِّتُونَ أَلَّا تُسَمِّتُونَ مِنْ حَقِ‌[4] الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا مَرِضَ أَنْ يَعُودَهُ وَ إِذَا مَاتَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ جَنَازَتَهُ وَ إِذَا عَطَسَ أَنْ يُسَمِّتَهُ أَوْ قَالَ يُشَمِّتَهُ وَ إِذَا دَعَاهُ أَن

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). I counted that the people present were fourteen. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) sneezed and no one from the people said anything. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) then asked, ‘You did not respond. Why did you not respond? It is of the rights of a believing person on the other believi

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا عَطَسَ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ لِعِلَّةٍ تَكُونُ بِهِ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عَنْهُ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* فَإِنْ قَالَ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكَ قَالَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعُطَاسُ لِلْمَرِيضِ دَلِيلُ الْعَافِيَةِ وَ رَاحَةٌ لِلْبَدَنِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When a Muslim person sneezes and remains silent for reasons of illness, the angels say for him, “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds,” if he would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds the angels will say, “May Allah forgive you. ’’’’The narrator has said t

قَالَ: الْعُطَاسُ يَنْفَعُ فِي الْبَدَنِ كُلِّهِ مَا لَمْ يَزِدْ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِ فَإِذَا زَادَ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِ فَهُوَ دَاءٌ وَ سُقْمٌ.

“Sneezing is beneficial to all parts of the body if it is not more than three times, if it is more than three times then it is an illness and disease.’”