بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
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Ruqyah Protocol
Verses for Expanding the Chest
Ruqyah verses to relieve chest pressure, anxiety-related breathing difficulty, and mental tightness
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Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit
Al Quranic Ruqyah Healing Center
Introduction — who this protocol is for
Unexplained pressure in the chest, difficulty breathing, or hesitation when speaking — behind these symptoms there is often anxiety, mental stress, or some unseen influence. In the Qur'an, Allah repeatedly speaks of opening and expanding the chest of His servant, and He calls the Qur'an a shifa (healing) for the hearts and a mercy. Musa (peace be upon him) himself also made dua for his chest to be expanded. If you recite these verses regularly over yourself, in sha Allah you will find relief from tightness of the chest, restlessness, and breathing difficulty. This is not a substitute for treatment — for physical problems, do consult a doctor when needed, and continue this amal alongside.
Signs for which this protocol may help
- Frequently feeling pressure or heaviness in the chest without any clear physical cause
- A feeling of the chest locking up or the tongue becoming tied when trying to speak
- Difficulty breathing because of anxiety and mental stress
- Feeling discomfort or suffocation in the chest while sleeping at night
- Wanting to recite as a regular amal to keep the heart expanded and at peace
Important note: Most of the signs above can also have ordinary physical or psychological causes. So first get the necessary medical tests and treatment. Ruqyah runs alongside medical treatment, not as a replacement for it. Do not conclude with certainty that someone is affected by sihr or jinn just because a sign matches.
Translation of the meanings of the Qur'an: Saheeh International (via quran.com).
Opening duas
Make wudu and sit facing the qiblah. Make the intention: through the Word of Allah, I am asking Allah alone for healing.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
I begin in the name of Allah, with whose name nothing in the heavens or on the earth can cause harm; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
Recite: 3 times
Nothing can cause sudden harm to the one who recites this dua in the morning and evening. (Tirmidhi 3388)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Meaning: Surah Al-Faatiha 1:1, Saheeh International.
Recite: 19 times
Before starting the ruqyah, settle your focus and your intention, then recite.
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek refuge in the perfect Words of Allah from the evil of all that He has created.
Recite: 3 times
(Muslim 2708)
Verses for opening and expanding the chest
Place your hand on your chest or blow lightly, and recite slowly, understanding the meaning.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ ۱
Did We not expand for you, [O Muḥammad], your breast?
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking refuge in Allah's mercy for the chest to be opened and eased
قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى ۲۵
[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand [i.e., relax] for me my breast [with assurance]
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Prayer for the ability and courage to speak, with the chest expanded
يٰأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِى الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۵۷
O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking healing from heart ailments and restlessness
قٰتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ ۱۴
Fight them; Allāh will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts [i.e., desires] of a believing people
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Prayer for the removal of tightness of the heart and for peace
فَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُۥ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُۥ لِلْإِسْلٰمِ ۖ وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُۥ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُۥ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِى السَّمَاءِ ۚ كَذٰلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ۱۲۵
So whoever Allāh wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islām; and whoever He wants to send astray - He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky. Thus does Allāh place defilement upon those who do not believe.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking refuge in having the chest opened through guidance
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُۥ لِلْإِسْلٰمِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقٰسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولٰئِكَ فِى ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ ۲۲
So is one whose breast Allāh has expanded to [accept] Islām and he is upon [i.e., guided by] a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allāh. Those are in manifest error.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking refuge in having the chest illuminated and expanded by the light of Islam
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ ۹۷
And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Comfort from mental stress and chest tightness caused by people's words
8
Surah Ash-Shu'araa 26:13
وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هٰرُونَ ۱۳
And that my breast will tighten and my tongue will not be fluent, so send for Aaron.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Relief from the chest locking up and the tongue becoming tied when speaking
Verses of shifa and mercy
You may recite aloud or silently, in whichever way — keep up regularity.
ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ فَاسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذٰلِكَ لَءَايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ۶۹
Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Prayer for the shifa for cure that lies in the things Allah has created
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظّٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا ۸۲
And We send down of the Qur’ān that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking healing by accepting the Qur'an as a shifa and a mercy
11
Surah Ash-Shu'araa 26:80
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ ۸۰
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Seeking healing in illness from Allah alone
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايٰتُهُۥ ۖ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ وَعَرَبِىٌّ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِى ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُولٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ ۴۴
And if We had made it a foreign [i.e., non-Arabic] Qur’ān, they would have said, "Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?" Say, "It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure." And those who do not believe - in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant place.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Remembering the Qur'an as guidance and shifa for the believers
13
Surah Al-Anbiyaa 21:83
۞ وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرّٰحِمِينَ ۸۳
And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful."
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Appealing to Allah, the Most Merciful of the merciful, when afflicted with hardship (the dua of the Prophet Ayyub)
Verses of protection and peace of heart
Especially beneficial when recited before sleeping at night.
الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ ۲۸
Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allāh. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allāh hearts are assured."
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Bringing peace to the heart through the dhikr of Allah
15
Surah Al-Muminoon 23:115-118
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ۱۱۵ فَتَعٰلَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ ۖ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ ۱۱۶ وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْكٰفِرُونَ ۱۱۷ وَقُل رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِينَ ۱۱۸
Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?" So exalted is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne. And whoever invokes besides Allāh another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed. And, [O Muḥammad], say, "My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful."
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Realizing that creation is not in vain, and praying for forgiveness and mercy
16
Surah Al-Hashr 59:21-24
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هٰذَا الْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خٰشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ۲۱ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عٰلِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهٰدَةِ ۖ هُوَ الرَّحْمٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ ۲۲ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلٰمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحٰنَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ۲۳ هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخٰلِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ۲۴
If We had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of Allāh. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought. He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Grantor of Security, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allāh above whatever they associate with Him. He is Allāh, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Bringing reverence, devotion, and peace to the heart by remembering Allah's majesty and names
Special duas — Verses for Expanding the Chest
These duas are arranged specifically for this problem. Recite them after you finish the verses.
اللَّهُمَّ احْرِقْ كُلَّ غُمَّةٍ عَلَى صَدْرِي
O Allah! Burn away all the tightness upon my chest.
Recite: 7 times
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ يُبْطَلُ كُلُّ تَسَلُّطٍ عَلَى صَدْرِي
In the name of Allah — all control over my chest is hereby nullified.
Recite: 7 times
اللَّهُمَّ بِقُوَّتِكَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ فُكَّ كُلَّ عُقْدَةٍ عُقِدَتْ عَلَى صَدْرِي
O Allah! By Your strength and power, untie every knot tied upon my chest.
Recite: 7 times
Closing surahs and duas
End every session this way. At the end, blow into water and drink it.
1
Surah Al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ۱ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ ۲ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۳ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ ۴
Say, "He is Allāh, [who is] One, Allāh, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Recite: 3 times
Intention: Strengthening the heart by declaring tawhid
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ۱ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ۲ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ۳ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفّٰثٰتِ فِى الْعُقَدِ ۴ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ۵
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of that which He created And from the evil of darkness when it settles And from the evil of the blowers in knots And from the evil of an envier when he envies."
Recite: 7 times
Intention: Refuge from magic, hasad (envy) and the evil of the night
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ۱ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ ۲ إِلٰهِ النَّاسِ ۳ مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ۴ الَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ۵ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ ۶
Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer - Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind".
Recite: 7 times
Intention: Refuge from the waswasa (whispers) of mankind and jinn
أُعِيذُكَ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
I entrust you to the protection of the perfect Words of Allah from every Shaytan, every venomous creature and every harmful evil eye.
Recite: 3 times
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this dua over Hasan and Husain (may Allah be pleased with them). (Bukhari 3371)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ أَوْ عَيْنِ حَاسِدٍ اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ
In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah over you, from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul and of the envier's eye. May Allah heal you. In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah over you.
Recite: 3 times
Jibril (peace be upon him) performed ruqyah over the Prophet ﷺ in this way. (Muslim 2186)
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
O Allah, Lord of mankind! Remove the hardship and grant healing. You are the Healer; there is no healing except Your healing — a healing that leaves no illness behind.
Recite: 7 times
(Bukhari 5743)
📌 Self-ruqyah guideline
Consistency is the key. A little every day, but regularly.
Method — step by step
- Make wudu, then sit somewhere quiet facing the qiblah. Keep your phone away.
- Make the intention: I am asking Allah for healing through the Words of Allah; the Words have no power of their own — the power belongs to Allah.
- Recite the opening duas (Chapter 1).
- Then recite the verses (ayahs) in order. While reciting, blow lightly into both palms and pass your hands over the affected area.
- Recite each verse as many times as stated in the instruction box below it — there is no need to do more or less.
- In between, make dua wholeheartedly in your own language for 15 minutes. If tears come, do not hold them back.
- At the end, recite the closing surahs and duas, then blow lightly into the water.
- Continue every day for at least 40 days. If you miss some days, do not lose heart — simply start again.
Daily schedule
| Morning | After Fajr — verse recitation, 15 minutes |
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| Evening | After Maghrib — verse recitation, 15 minutes |
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| Night | Before sleeping — closing surahs and duas, drink recited-over water |
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| Weekly | One ruqyah bath a week |
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Your own dua in your own language (15 minutes)
During or after the recitation of the verses, ask Allah in your own language. Below is a sample — you do not have to read exactly this; say it in your own words.
O Allah, open my chest for me, make my task easy for me, and remove all tightness and restlessness from my heart and grant me peace.
Where to massage the recited-over oil
Focus for Verses for Expanding the Chest: Around the chest and shoulders
Supplements and weekly practices
| Recited-over water | Recite the ruqyah verses over a bottle of water and blow into it. Drink it 3 times a day: in the morning on an empty stomach, at midday, and at night before sleeping. |
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| Recited-over honey | Blow into pure honey and take one spoonful every morning. It is good to recite verse 69 of Surah An-Nahl and then blow into it. |
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| Recited-over olive oil | Recite the verses over olive oil, blow into it, and massage it into the affected area. It is best done at night before sleeping. |
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| Black seed (nigella) | Every morning, take 7 black seeds with recited-over honey. The Prophet ﷺ said that black seed contains a cure for every disease except death. (Bukhari 5688) |
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| Ruqyah bath | Recite the verses over a bucket of water and blow into it. You may also mix in seven crushed jujube leaves. Pour the water over yourself from the head down and bathe, once a week. |
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| Spraying the home | Put recited-over water in a spray bottle and spray it in the corners of the house, on the doors and windows, and under the bed. |
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Daily practices (amal)
Alongside ruqyah, it is these practices that give long-term protection.
| After Fajr | Surah Yasin 1 time |
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| Morning and evening | The morning and evening adhkar from Hisnul Muslim, regularly |
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| After Asr | Surah Al-Waqi'ah 1 time |
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| At night | Surah Qaf 3 times, Surah Al-Mulk 1 time |
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| Before sleeping | Ayat al-Kursi 1 time, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and the three Quls 3 times each. Blow into your hands and wipe them over your whole body. |
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| Every day | Give sadaqah as much as you can, every day, even if only a little. Sadaqah wards off calamity. |
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| Every day | The obligatory salah in congregation, istighfar 100 times, salawat upon the Prophet 100 times |
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Ruqyah is a Shariah-based method of treatment; it is not a substitute for necessary medical treatment.