Visiting the sick, known as "iyadat al-marid" in Islamic terminology, is considered one of the rights a Muslim has over another Muslim, mentioned directly in hadith alongside responding to greetings, attending funerals, and accepting invitations. Part of fulfilling this visit properly, according to the Sunnah, is making specific dua for the person who is unwell.
One of the most commonly cited duas for visiting the sick comes directly from the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: "Allahumma Rabb an-nas, adhhib al-ba's, ishfi anta ash-Shafi, la shifa'a illa shifa'uka, shifa'an la yughadiru saqama" — "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the difficulty, and heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind." This dua is notable for its direct language: it doesn't just ask generally for wellness, but specifically names Allah as "Ash-Shafi" (the Healer) and asks for a complete, lasting cure.
Another authentic dua reported from the Prophet's practice, which he would recite seven times while placing his hand on the sick person, is: "As'alu Allah al-Adheem, Rabb al-'Arsh al-Adheem, an yashfiyaka" — "I ask Allah the Mighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to heal you." A hadith states that if this is recited over someone whose time of death has not yet come, they will recover by Allah's permission, which is why it's specifically recommended to say seven times during a sick visit.
Beyond the words themselves, Islamic etiquette around visiting the sick includes several practical points that shape how the dua is delivered. Visits are generally kept brief unless the sick person wants company for longer, out of consideration for their energy and comfort. It's considered good practice to sit close enough to speak gently and, where appropriate, place a hand on the person while making dua, following the example set in hadith. Visitors are also encouraged to bring a sense of hope and reassurance rather than dwelling on the severity of the illness, and to remind the sick person, where suitable, of the reward for patience during hardship.
Islamic teaching frames illness itself in a way that adds meaning to these visits: hadith describe sickness as a means by which sins can be expiated for a believer who responds with patience, turning a difficult experience into a source of potential spiritual benefit rather than only loss. This context is often part of what a visitor might gently mention alongside the dua, offering comfort rooted in faith rather than empty reassurance.
For someone new to these practices, memorizing even one of these authentic duas — ideally the first, more comprehensive one — provides a ready, meaningful way to fulfill this recommended visit properly, rather than relying only on generic well-wishes. Saying a specific, Sunnah-based dua rather than an improvised one is generally seen as carrying more spiritual weight, since it follows the exact words the Prophet himself is reported to have used in this situation.
Islamic teachers often encourage practicing these duas ahead of time — before an actual visit — since it can be difficult to recall unfamiliar Arabic phrases in the emotional moment of seeing someone unwell. Keeping a small card or note with the phrase and its meaning, or simply reviewing it a few times before heading to visit, makes it far easier to say with sincerity and confidence rather than fumbling for words at the bedside.