their status. The two surahs of refuge have a tremendous effect, especially when the illness is caused by sorcery, the evil eye, or something similar.

Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—said in the introduction to his commentary on the two surahs of refuge:

“The purpose is to discuss these two surahs, explain their immense benefit, and show the pressing need—indeed, the necessity—for them. No one can ever dispense with them. They have a particular effect in warding off sorcery, the evil eye, and all other evils. A servant’s need to seek refuge by means of these two surahs is greater than his need for breath, food, drink, and clothing.”1

He then discussed them at length in a most beneficial and instructive manner.

Among the recitations used to treat the sick is the report authentically related in Sahih Muslim from Uthmān ibn Abī al-Ās. He complained to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—of a pain that he had felt in his body since embracing Islam. The Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—said to him:

“Place your hand on the part of your body that hurts and say, ‘In the name of Allah,’ three times. Then say seven times: ‘I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and fear.’”2

His words, “from the evil of what I feel and fear,” mean: from the evil of the pain and suffering I feel, and from the evil of what I fear may result from it—that is, what I am apprehensive of and seek to avoid.

This entails seeking protection from the pain one is presently experiencing and from pain that one fears or expects may arise in the future. This includes the worsening and intensification of the illness one already has. People often experience this when afflicted by illness, as anxiety may overcome them out of fear that the illness will intensify and grow worse. This magnificent supplication contains a plea for Allah’s protection from that.