Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:78)
In classical collections of Prophetic Medicine (Tibb an-Nabawi)—including treatises referencing Ibn al-Qayyim’s Zad al-Ma’ad and traditional Ruqyah literature—Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:78) is cited as a core verse for sensory restoration, ear/eye ailments, and cognitive disorders:
Spiritual Restoration of Hearing, Vision, and Cognitive Function
Target Conditions: Practitioners cite this verse in Ruqyah for individuals suffering from tinnitus, hearing loss/deafness, visual impairments, vertigo, speech/auditory sensory integration disorders, memory fog, or neurological heaviness.
Spiritual Intent (Tafa’ul): Because the verse explicitly attributes the creation and origination (Ansha’a) of hearing, vision, and the heart to Allah, reciting it serves as a direct supplication invoking the Creator to restore and heal those exact faculties.
📖 Hadith Reference
Hadith References on Hearing, Vision, and the Faculties (As-Sam', Al-Absar, Al-Af'idah)
While Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78) establishes the divine creation of these three faculties, the Hadith literature contains several authentic supplications (Du'a) and prophetic statements that directly mirror this verse, emphasizing the preservation, protection, and spiritual healing of hearing, sight, and the heart.
- The Daily Prophetic Supplication for Healing the Faculties
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught a specific daily supplication asking Allah to maintain and preserve the health of hearing and sight throughout one's life.
A. Supplication for Health in Hearing and Sight
> Abu Bakrah (RA) reported that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) supplicating every morning and evening:
> اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَدَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي سَمْعِي، اللَّهُمَّ عَافِنِي فِي بَصَرِي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
> "O Allah, grant me health in my body. O Allah, grant me health in my hearing. O Allah, grant me health in my sight. There is no deity worthy of worship except You."
> — Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith #5090), Sunan al-Nasa'i (Al-Sunan al-Kubra #10280), Musnad Ahmad (#20430).
> Grading: Hasan (Good / Authentic).
>
- Seeking Refuge from the Decay or Loss of Faculties
The Prophet (ﷺ) also specifically sought refuge in Allah from losing these exact senses or having them harmed by disease or affliction.
A. Refuge from Harm to Hearing and Sight
> Shakal ibn Humayd (RA) reported:
> "I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication by which I may benefit.' He took me by the hand and said: Say:
> اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي
> 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, from the evil of my sight, from the evil of my tongue, from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my desires.'"
> — Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith #1551), Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Hadith #3492), Sunan al-Nasa'i (#5444).
> Grading: Sahih (Authentic).
>
B. Asking to Retain Hearing and Sight Until Death
> Ibn 'Umar (RA) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) seldom stood up from a gathering without making this supplication for his Companions:
> اللَّهُمَّ اقْسِمْ لَنَا مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ مَا تَحُولُ بِهِ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ مَعَاصِيكَ ... وَمَتِّعْنَا بِأَسْمَاعِنَا وَأَبْصَارِنَا وَقُوَّتِنَا مَا أَحْيَيْتَنَا، وَاجْعَلْهُ الْوَارِثَ مِنَّا
> "...And grant us enjoyment of our hearing, our sight, and our strength as long as You keep us alive, and make it our inheritor (i.e., keep these faculties sound and healthy until the day we die)."
> — Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Hadith #3502), Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn by Al-Hakim (#1906).
> Grading: Hasan-Sahih.
>
- Application in Tibb an-Nabawi
Classical scholars of Prophetic medicine—such as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya in Zad al-Ma'ad—note that combining the recitation of Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78) with these authentic prophetic supplications forms the complete spiritual foundation for:
- Daily Preservation (Hifz al-Sihhah): Reciting the daily morning/evening supplication for health in hearing and sight.
- Spiritual Treatment (Ruqyah): Reciting Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78) alongside the Hadith supplications over Black Seed Oil (Habbat al-Barakah) or Olive Oil (Zayt) to massage around the ears, temples, or forehead for sensory impairments, tinnitus, or visual fatigue.
⚗️ Preparation Method
Traditional Application Methods
Recitation over Black Seed Oil (Habbat al-Barakah) or Olive Oil (Zayt):
Method: Verse 78 is recited (3, 7, or 21 times) over pure, warm black seed oil or olive oil.
Application: A drop of the oil is lightly applied around the outer ear canal for ear issues, or massaged onto the temples and forehead for visual strain, headaches, and cognitive weakness.
Water Recitation (Ruqyah Water):
The verse is recited over water, which is then consumed daily to promote mental clarity, spiritual focus, and internal systemic strength.
🤲 Dua / Ruqyah
Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78)
text{Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78)}
- Arabic Text
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
- Word-by-Word & Verse Translation
وَهُوَ الَّذِي (Wa-huwa-lladhī) — "And it is He who"
أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ (ansha'a lakumu) — "created for you"
السَّمْعَ (as-sam'a) — "hearing (ears)"
وَالْأَبْصَارَ (wal-absāra) — "sight / vision (eyes)"
وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ (wal-af'idata) — "and hearts / intellects;"
قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ (qalīlam-mā tashkurūn) — "little are you thankful."
Complete Translation: "And it is He who created for you hearing, vision, and hearts; little are you thankful." — Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:78)
- Exegetical (Tafsir) & Physiological Sequence
The Divine Sequence of Faculties:
Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi highlight the profound wisdom behind the sequence used throughout the Quran: Hearing (As-Sam') is mentioned before Sight (Al-Absar), followed by the Heart/Mind (Al-Af'idah).
Auditory Primacy: Modern embryology confirms that the auditory sense develops and functions first in the womb, well before visual faculties mature post-birth. Furthermore, hearing operates continuously—even during sleep—making it the fundamental gateway for perception and spiritual admonition (Tadhkirah).
Singular vs. Plural Nuance:
Hearing (As-Sam') is consistently expressed in the singular form in Arabic as a collective noun (denoting the unified perception of sound waves), whereas Sight (Al-Absar) and Hearts (Al-Af'idah) are expressed in the plural, representing the diverse, multi-angle ways humans perceive images and comprehend thoughts.