In Islam, paying a sick person a visit is seen as an excellent deed and is incredibly blessed by Allah. Visiting a sick is rewarding and it is a nice gesture that not only helps the ill person but also the visitor, as it deepens one’s faith, solidifies sibling and brotherly ties, and fosters understanding and compassion for people who are suffering. In this blog, we shall discuss the significance of visiting the sick in Islam and how it may be a fulfilling experience.
Abu Rabi’ reported directly from Allah’s Apostle (May peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
“The one who visits the sick is, in fact, like one who is in the fruit garden of Paradise so long as he does not return.” [1]
This hadith underlines the tremendous benefit and what it is like to be in heaven to visit the ill. It demonstrates that this act of compassion not only benefits the sick person but it also enables one to do more good actions and win Allah’s favor.
Visiting the ill is a worshipful deed expressing compassion and love for others. It is a means of expressing sympathy and support for individuals who are struggling. Visiting the sick is one approach to illustrate the Islamic teaching that we should treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves.
Moreover, visiting the sick is an opportunity to gain the favor and compassion of Allah. It was narrated that ‘Ali said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Whoever comes to his Muslim brother and visits him (when he is sick), he is walking among the harvest of Paradise until he sits down, and when he sits down he is covered with mercy. If it is morning, seventy thousand angels will send blessing upon him until evening, and if it is evening, seventy thousand angels will send blessing upon him until morning.’” [2]
This means that the act of visiting the sick is so valuable in the sight of Allah that it can result in forgiveness from Allah and invoke prayers from the angels of Allah. Visiting the ill has many practical advantages in addition to spiritual joys. It can lift the sick person’s spirits, soothe and support them, and lessen their pain and suffering. Also, it serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles and gives them a sense of connection to the outside world.
Islam allows anybody to visit a sick person, including family members or close friends. Regardless of their relationship with the patient, all Muslims must see the ill. This implies that we should still attempt to visit the sick person and provide our support, even if we don’t know them well.
Rewards for Visiting the Sick
Visiting the sick is considered a great virtue that Allah highly rewards. It is an act of kindness that benefits not only the ill person but also the visitor, as it increases one’s faith, strengthens the bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood, and helps to cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion towards those who are suffering. Let’s explore the rewards of visiting the sick in Islam.
Earning the Pleasure of Allah
Visiting the sick is a means of earning the pleasure of Allah. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever visits the sick, or visits his brother in Allah (faith), a caller calls out: ‘May you have goodness and livelihood be good, and may you dwell in an adobe in Paradise.'” [3]
This hadith highlights the great reward associated with visiting the sick. It shows that this act of kindness is not only beneficial to the ill person, but it is also a means of earning the pleasure of Allah and increasing one’s good deeds.
Forgiveness of Sins
Visiting the sick is an act that can result in the forgiveness of one’s sins. Thauban reported God’s messenger as saying,
“When a Muslim pays a sick visit to his brother Muslim he continues to gather the fruits of paradise till he returns.” [4] (Muslim transmitted it.)
This means that visiting the sick is so valuable in the sight of Allah that it can result in the forgiveness of one’s sins.
Strengthening the Bonds of Brotherhood/Sisterhood
Visiting the sick is an act that strengthens the bonds of brotherhood/sisterhood in the Muslim community. It shows that Muslims are there to support and care for each other, even in times of illness and hardship. Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfills his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfill his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone covers up a Muslim (his sins), Allah will cover him up (his sins) on the Resurrection Day”. [5]
This hadith emphasizes the importance of supporting and caring for one another, especially during illness.
Alleviating Suffering
Visiting the sick is an act that can alleviate their suffering. It provides comfort and support, boosts their morale, and helps to relieve their pain and suffering. It also connects them to the outside world and reminds them they are not alone in their struggle.
Setting a Good Example
Visiting the sick is an act that sets a good example for others to follow. It demonstrates the importance of caring for others and the value of empathy and compassion. Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It was said to him: Allah’s Messenger, what are these? Thereupon he said: When you meet him, offer him greetings; when he invites you to a feast accept it. when he seeks your council give him, and when he sneezes and says:” All praise is due to Allah,” you say Yarhamuk Allah (May Allah show mercy to you); and when he fails ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.” [6]
This hadith emphasizes the importance of helping and supporting others, and visiting the sick is one way to do so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, visiting the ill is seen in Islam as a very gratifying deed of generosity. It is a chance to please Allah, ask for pardon, and show how much we care about others. Every Muslim must conduct this act of worship since it has both spiritual and practical advantages. Hence, let us try to visit the sick and lessen their suffering since doing so will increase our faith and win us Allah’s favor.
Visiting a Sick is Rewarding is part of an amazing series of content. For more, you are very much encouraged to follow our whole series Time to Revive where we discuss the forgotten sunnah or Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him, and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice.
By Jowairia Shahid
Reference
- Sahih Muslim 2568a: Book 45, Hadith 49
- Sunan Ibn Majah 1442: Book 6, Hadith 10
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2008: Book 27, Hadith 114
- Mishkat al-Masabih 1527: Book 5, Hadith 5
- Riyad as-Salihin 244: Introduction, Hadith 244
- Sahih Muslim 2162b: Book 39, Hadith 6
