It is a Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to visit the sick. Islam invites all that is good and warns from all that is bad. From those good and virtuous deeds is the visiting of the ill and afflicted. Visiting the sick is from the clearest signs of such mutual love, mercy, and empathy. More than that, visiting the sick is a major responsibility that every single Muslim is duty-bound to fulfil. Whilst in good health, the Muslim is obliged to greet his brother in faith with the greetings of peace and protection, to accept his invitations and to give him sincere advice. Allah says:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
“And not (are) equal the good (deed) and the evil (deed). Repel by (that) which [it] (is) better; then behold! One who, between you and between him, (was) enmity, (will become) as if he (was) a friend intimate.” (Surah Fussilat 41:34)
Our health is one of the greatest blessings of Allah on us. This body of ours is a great and superb creature. Like good health, sickness also comes from Allah (SWT). Sickness is a test for affected or non-affected both. If affected people have patience they will be closer to Allah. Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“And surely We will test you with something of [the] fear and [the] hunger and loss of [the] wealth and [the] lives and [the] fruits, but give good news (to) the patient ones.” (Sura Baqarah: 2:155)
Sickness is the test for the people who are not affected. By this test, Allah will certainly know those who stand beside the sick people and take care of them and also those who don’t do so. If they stand, they will pass the test with a feat and will get a great reward from Allah (SWT). If they don’t help the sick people they will be punished.
Here are ways to make rights visiting the sick:
- Make multiple intentions: Visiting someone who is ill is a highly rewarded act, but you can make it even more rewarding simply by making.
- Setting an appointment: Inpatients are probably used to receiving visitors during visitation hours, but out of courtesy makes.
- Choosing a suitable gift: Generally, flowers and chocolates seem to be the most popular gifts people take when visiting someone who is sick.
- Length of the visit: While patients enjoy some company, it’s highly recommended that you make it short and sweet. Inpatients, in particular, wake up early and sleep early, and medication may wear them out.
- Conversation do’s and don’ts: Please don’t feed your curiosity and start by asking, “So, what’s wrong with you exactly?” Remember that you are here to get them out of the mood, not probe them for medical information.
- Safety comes first: If you’re suffering from a bad cold, it may not be wise to visit someone who is already weak. In this case, apologize and visit them when you’re better. On the contrary, if the patient is suspected to have a contagious disease, do not put yourself at risk.
- Power of Dua’a: One of the most beautiful things in Islam is the collection of supplications we have been provided with to recite in every situation we may encounter in our daily life.
- Cool his heart
- Try to solve any of his needs
- Learn a lesson from his illness
Islam considers visiting the sick as great worship. It is a great Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH). Hazrat Abu Musa (Ra) reports that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the one who is imprisoned (unjustly).” (Sahih Bukhari)
It is a religious duty of a Muslim upon another Muslim to visit him when he is sick. Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “The rights of the Muslim upon the Muslim are six when you meet him, give him the greeting of peace, when he invites you, respond to his invitation, when he seeks your advice, advise him, when he sneezes and praises Allah, supplicate for mercy upon him, when he becomes ill, visit him and when he dies, follow him (i.e. his funeral).” (Sahih Muslim)
Here are some virtues of visiting the sick:
- Every extra obligation is wearing on the sick person
- Offers and good wishes met with silence
- Do not sleep- Don’t sit, stay standing
- Do not flaunt your strength or health
- Don’t be afraid to let it pour out
- Don’t stand above the bed
- Does not spend all-day
- Do not stay long
- Don’t eat a lot
- Don’t pray in front of them
- Offers to help should be specific
- Strength and weakness both are good
- Do not greet the sick person morosely
- It is not allowed to pray in front of someone who is mentally ill
- Greet normally, and allow the patient to guide the emotional tone
One who visits the sick enjoys the fruits of Paradise until he returns home. Despite having the ability to help the sick people who don’t stand with help beside them, they certainly will be asked on the Day of Resurrection. Thuban (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“The Muslim who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.” (Sahih Muslim)
In Islam, we are encouraged to visit such people and not to neglect them. We should always visit those who are sick because it helps us to reflect and take heed, as those who are ill are close to Allah Ta’ala. We have only to consider that the sick person has no one to call but Allah, nothing to reflect on but Allah, and his condition reminds us of the blessing of health.
