Dua for headache and any pain, from the Sunnah
The authentic dua for headache is the Prophet’s ﷺ du‘a for any pain: place your hand where it hurts, say “Bismillah” three times, then seven times “A‘udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir”. Here it is in Arabic with meaning, plus the du‘as for the sick and the surahs recited for healing.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
The dua for headache and any pain
‘Uthman ibn Abi al-‘As complained of pain in his body, and the Prophet ﷺ told him: place your hand on the part that hurts and say “Bismillah” three times, then say seven times:
Seven times, with your hand on the pain
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ
A‘udhu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhir.
“I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and what I fear.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 2202. Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimSurahs recited for healing
When the Prophet ﷺ was ill he recited Al-Falaq and An-Nas (both among the last 10 surahs), blew into his hands and wiped over his body (Sahih al-Bukhari 5016). A companion recited Al-Fatihah over a sick man, and the Prophet ﷺ approved it (Sahih al-Bukhari 5749).
Duas for someone who is ill
When visiting the sick
لَا بَأْسَ طَهُورٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
La ba’sa tahurun in sha’ Allah.
“No harm: it is a purification, if Allah wills.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3616. Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimSeven times for the sick person
أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ أَنْ يَشْفِيَكَ
As’alullahal-‘azima rabbal-‘arshil-‘azimi an yashfiyak.
“I ask Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you.”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 3106; Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 2083. Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimDu‘a alongside treatment
“Allah has not sent down a disease without sending down a cure for it” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5678). Du‘a and medicine go together, the same balance as tawakkul. Drink water, rest, and use the treatment you would normally take. If headaches are sudden and severe, follow an injury, or come with fever, a stiff neck or changes in vision, call 999; for other worrying symptoms call NHS 111 or see your GP.
For worry and stress, which often come with headaches, see dua for anxiety. All topics are in our daily duas collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a specific dua for headache in the Quran?
No verse is specific to headaches. The Quran describes itself as “a healing and a mercy for the believers” (Al-Isra 17:82), and the Sunnah teaches reciting Al-Fatihah and the last three surahs over the sick. The du‘a on this page is from the hadith and is for pain anywhere in the body.
Is there a dua for migraine?
Migraine is treated the same way: place your hand where it hurts, say Bismillah three times and the du‘a seven times. Migraines can be severe, so see your GP or call NHS 111 if they are frequent, new or come with other symptoms.
Can I say the dua for someone else?
Yes. When visiting or caring for someone who is unwell, say the du‘as for the sick below, and you may place your hand on them as the Prophet ﷺ did.
Learn the duas and surahs with a teacher
Three free one-to-one lessons in UK time, with correct Arabic pronunciation.