وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْاٰنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ (Surah Al-Isra, 17:82) Translation: “And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers.”
The Quran is an absolute cure (Shifa), as it completely eradicates both outward and inward diseases, misguidance, and ignorance, while bestowing comprehensive physical and spiritual health. False beliefs and despicable traits are repelled through it, whereas true doctrines, divine gnosis (Ma’arif-e-Ilahiyya), praiseworthy attributes (Sifat-e-Hameeda), and excellent morals are attained. This is because this Majestic Book comprises such profound sciences and definitive proofs that completely annihilate illusion-based notions and satanic darkness with its divine lights. Every single letter of it is a repository and treasure trove of blessings (Barakat), through which physical ailments and demonic afflictions (Aseeb) are driven away.
Let it be well remembered that although the true and primary healing of the Holy Quran is directed toward spiritual and psychological diseases, its healing efficacy for physical illnesses is also deeply present. This reality is explicitly proven by the blessed sayings and practices (Aqwal-o-Af’aal) of the Master of Both Worlds ﷺ. Two profound examples of this are detailed below:
Prophetic Paradigm 1: The Efficacy of Surah Al-Fatiha
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ) narrates that some Companions (Sahaba-e-Karam رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمْ) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ went to a certain Arab tribe, but the people of that tribe refused to extend hospitality to them. During that time, the chief of the tribe was stung by a scorpion. The tribesmen came to the Companions (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمْ) and asked, “Is there any medicine with you, or is there anyone among you who can perform spiritual incantation (Damm)?”
The Companions (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمْ) replied, “Since you refused to host us, we will not perform Damm until you fix a remuneration or wages for it.” Consequently, they agreed upon a flock of sheep for the Companions (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمْ).
Then, a Companion (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ) recited Surah Al-Fatiha, blew (Damm) upon the chief, and applied a spray of his saliva—whereupon the chief was completely cured and restored to health.
Later, when the tribesmen brought the sheep, the Companions (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمْ) declared, “We will not accept these sheep until we have explicitly asked the Holy Prophet ﷺ about it.” When they inquired of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he smiled and remarked: “How did you know that it (Surah Al-Fatiha) is a Ruqyah (Damm)? Take these sheep, and assign a share for me as well.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ut-Tib, Bab ar-Ruqya bi-Fatihat-il-Kitab, 4/30, Hadeeth: 5736)
Prophetic Paradigm 2: The Practice of the Mu’awwidhatayn
Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا) narrates: “During the fatal illness in which the soul of the Holy Prophet ﷺ was captured (taken), he ﷺ used to recite Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas and blow (Damm) over his own blessed body. When his illness became severe, I used to recite those Surahs, blow over him ﷺ, and rub his own blessed hand over his body, because his hand possessed far more blessings than my own.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ut-Tib, Bab fi-Mar’ah Tarqi ar-Rajul, 4/34, Hadeeth: 5751)
However, at the end of the same Quranic verse, it is explicitly declared that while the Quran is a complete cure and healing for the believers, it increases nothing for the wrongdoers (the disbelievers) except loss—as they continuously compound in their stubbornness and disbelief (Kufr).