Radio Islam Newsletter

VISITING THE SICK

O servants of Allah, Fear Allah; with fear of Allah the highest levels of Taqwa are attained and actions become purified. Remember him and thank him constantly; with his remembrance, the hearts find tranquility and with thanking him your blessing are preserved for you. Perform righteous deeds because the best of provisions are righteous deeds.

Gathering of brothers, good deeds in Islam encompass all forms of righteousness. Every righteous action touches upon every good manner – is an act of being obedience and an act pleasing to Allah. Words and deeds that plant seeds of love, binding the ties of assistance, mercy, kindness, sincerity and fulfillment, joining in the times of good and supporting in the time of hardship, all of these are from the directives of Islam and the grace of good character.

The purity of the Deen and the beauty of the Shariah becomes clear, even clearer with good character and correct actions, which the Muslim practices with his brothers; both near and far. In visiting the sick there is joy for the heart and removal of loneliness, decrease of pain, and comfort for the sick and his family. In the guidance of the prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) are great recommendations to fulfill this right, enjoin this type of character, and carry on these types of manners.

Narrated by Al-Imam Ahmad and Muslim from Thawbaan from the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) who said: "When the Muslim visits his sick brother he never ceases to be in a garden of paradise until he returns. It was said: what is its garden, he said: its fruits". In the Hadith Qudsi Allah will say on the Day of Judgment: "O son of Adam I was sick and you did not visit Me. He will say: O Lord how can I visit You. You are the Lord of the worlds? He says: Did you not know that My servant so and so was sick yet you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him you would have found Me with him?" (Muslim)

It is preferable for the one visiting to make many supplications for the sick person. In this regard a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbaas states that the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: "Whoever visited a sick person who had not yet reached death and said seven times 'I ask Allah the Great Lord of the Majestic throne to heal you' except that Allah will cure him of that disease" (At-Tirmidhi).

From the etiquettes of visiting, that one should be aware of, is: that the visit should not be long, nor should one ask much of the sick person, nor speak too much, nor mention that which worries him or increases his pain, nor should he mention a friend he dislikes, or an enemy, nor should he speak of his family and children except with what is best, all of this to show kindness to him. Lengthy visits are burdensome upon the sick, and prevent them from doing things they may need to take care of.

If the sick person likes numerous visits and this causes him no harm then there is no problem, it all this depends on the situation, he may like to sit with some of his close friends and relatives, and get bored with others. If the visitor feels that the sick will be healed, then he should encourage him to have patience and give him glad tidings. He should assist him in getting medical care and meeting his needs that are within his capacity. He should try to make him feel good - cheer him up and open the doors of hope for him.

Al-Fudail said: Sicknesses were only made to teach the servants etiquette.
Not everyone who gets sick dies, and from this is the statement of Allah, which translates as: "And do they not see that they are test and afflicted in every year once or twice, then they neither repent nor take reminder" (At-Tauba: 126).

When the sick person feels worried about his situation, he should be reminded of Allah, and what is waiting for him and made to think good of his Lord. "For the one who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him".

He should be reminded that, he whose last words are: 'There is none worthy of worship but Allah' then he enters paradise. He should be reminded that the doors of repentance are opened for him and time is gained for recitation of the Quran, remembrance of Allah, glorifying Him and seeking His Forgiveness. He should be reminded to write his will and testimony; it does not postpone the death date but protects the rights of others and pays off any debts.

So fear Allah O Muslims and protect the rights of your brothers, fulfill your duties, act according to their etiquettes, fulfill their objectives, your reward will be great, and your situation will be good, goodness and love will abound.