Bismillah
Revive a Sunnah: Visiting the sick
The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam said: “Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and set free the captives.” [Bukhari]
The concept of looking out for others is found throughout the teachings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam. Sadly, we are regularly aware of people within our circle of family, friends and acquaintances who are tested with an illness, big or small. Visiting and spending time with them has two major benefits. You demonstrate love towards another, instantly tightening the bonds of kinship/friendship. Also, to see someone who is unable to function as well as they normally can, is a strong reminder of the blessing of health.
This is something that we often take for granted, or even push aside, whilst we are rushing around at home and at work. So, the next time you hear of someone who is ill, try your best to go beyond sending them a ‘get well soon’ and practice a forgotten Sunnah, make the effort to be physically present and comfort them. Seek Barakah, not the hustle.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam said, “Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: ‘O my Rubb, how could I visit you and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would submit: ‘My Rubb, how could I feed You and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ He would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked water from you but you did not give it to Me.’ He would say: ‘My Rubb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: ‘Such and such a slave of Mine asked you for water to drink but you did not give it to him. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found (its reward) with Me?”‘
[Muslim]. reference : Book 7, Hadith
وعنه قالك قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”عن الله عزو جل يقول يوم القيامة: ”يا ابن آدم مرضت فلم تعدني! قال: يا رب كيف أعودك وأنت رب العالمين؟! قال: أما علمت أن عبدي فلاناً مرض فلم تعده؟ أما علمت أنك لو عدته لوجدتني عنده؟ يا ابن آدم استطعمتك فلم تطعمني! قال: يا رب كيف أطعمك وأنت رب العالمين؟! قال: أما علمت أنه استطعمك عبدي فلان فلم تطعمه، أما علمت أنك لو أطعمته لوجدت ذلك عندي؟ يا ابن آدم استسقيتك فلم تسقني! قال: يارب كيف أسقيك وأنت رب العالمين؟! قال: استسقاك عبدي فلان فلم تسقه! أما علمت أنك لو سقيته لوجدت ذلك عندي؟” ((رواه مسلم)).
The Great Reward of Visiting the Sick
‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim who visits a (sick) Muslim early in the morning but seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi (969)
“But Allah is your Protector, and He is the best of helpers.” Qur’an 3:150
Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam said, “He who visits a sick person who is not on the point of death and supplicates seven times: As’alullahal-‘Azima Rabbal-‘Arshil-‘Azimi, an yashfiyaka (I beseech Allah the Great, the Rubb of the Great Throne, to heal you), Allah will certainly heal him from that sickness.”[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
وعن ابن عباس، رضي الله عنهما، عن النبي،صلى الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال: “من عاد مريضاً لم يحضره أجله، فقال عنده سبع مرات: أسأل الله العظيم رب العرش العظيم أن يشفيك: إلا عافاه الله من ذلك المرض” ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن، وقال الحاكم: حديث صحيح علي شرط البخاري)).
May Allah guide us to what is pleasing to Him.
May Allah ease your pain and guide you to His good pleasures
Aameen Ya Rabbal Alameen