Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—commented on this hadith:

“This remedy acted upon the ailment and removed it so completely that it was as though it had never existed. It is the easiest and simplest of remedies. If a servant used al-Fātiha properly as a remedy, he would see its remarkable effect in bringing about healing. I remained in Mecca for a period during which I was repeatedly afflicted by illnesses and could find neither a physician nor medicine. I therefore treated myself with al-Fātiha and witnessed its remarkable effect. I would prescribe it to those who complained of pain, and many of them would recover quickly.”1 End quote.

Also among the recitations used to treat the sick are the protective surahs: “Say: He is Allah, the One”; “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak”; and “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.” It is related in the two Sahih collections from ʿĀʾisha—may Allah be pleased with her:

“Whenever the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—fell ill, he would recite the protective surahs over himself and spit lightly. When his pain became severe, I would recite them over him and wipe him with his own hand, hoping for the blessing of that hand.”2

It is also related from her in Sahih Muslim that she said:

“Whenever anyone in the household of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—fell ill, he would spit lightly over them while reciting the protective surahs.”3

Her words “the protective surahs” refer to Sūrat al-Ikhlās, Sūrat al-Falaq, and Sūrat al-Nās. Sūrat al-Ikhlās is included with the other two by extension because it contains a description of the Lord, even though it does not explicitly employ the wording of seeking refuge.4

This hadith demonstrates the exalted status of these three surahs and that, by Allah’s permission, they are a healing recitation and a cure for pain. Many hadiths have been related concerning these surahs that attest to the greatness of