29. Illness and visiting those who are ill

29. Illness and visiting those who are ill

chapter 226. The expiation of someone who is ill

491. Ghatif ibn al-Harith said that a man came to Abu ‘Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah while he was in pain and asked, “What is the reward of the amir?” Abu ‘Ubayda said, “Do you know that for which you will be rewarded?” The man replied, “We will be rewarded for things which happen to us which we dislike.” Abu ‘Ubayda said, “Rather you will be rewarded for what you spend in the Cause of Allah and what is spent on you. Then there is a reckoning for all parts of the saddle, even the horse’s bridle. Allah will remove your errors from you for the sake of this fatigue which has afflicted your bodies.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

492. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “A Muslim does not encounter fatigue, tiredness, concern, sorrow, injury or grief, or even a thorn which pricks him without Allah expiating his errors for him by that.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Allah’s mercy over the Muslim is extremely great. Apart from the favors of not affirming servitude to any deity except Allah, and believing in and following the Prophetﷺ, his pains and sorrow also bring benefits to him as long as he bears them patiently, not wailing over them. Wondrous is the affair of the Muslim, all his affairs are good for him!

493.’Abdu’r-Rahman ibn Sa’id reported that his father said, “I was with Salman when he visited a sick person in Kinda. When he went in, he said, ‘Good news! Allah makes the illness of the believer an expiation for him and a restoration, whereas the illness of the corrupt person is like a camel whose people hobble it and the let it go. It doe sot know why it was hobbled or released.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The believer gains from his illness: they expiate for him his sins and draw him close to Allah’s mercy. When we visit the sick, it is recommended that they should be reminded about things that gladden them and help relieve their pains. If the sick person is known to be from the righteous, he could even be reminded of his deeds and the reward that awaits him with Allah the most High. The hadeeth also relates the huge loss upon which is the disbeliever. We seek Allah’s refuge from disbelief.

494. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Affliction will continue to trouble the believers, men and women, in their bodies, their families, and their property until they meet Allah Almighty purified of every wrong action.” Another transmission adds, “and in their children.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadīth describes how any illness or anxiety that besets a Muslim results in purification of his soul and forgiveness for his shortcomings. Therefore if a person is tested in this way he should be patient and expect reward from Allah as expiation from his sins. In this context though trouble is not sought after as the Prophetﷺ always asked for well-being and good health and often prayed seeking refuge from serious illness, it is a sign of the mercy of Allah that one sometimes has minor illnesses to make one remember Allah’s bounty of good health and strength

495. Abu Hurayra said, “A bedouin came and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked, ‘Has Umm Mildam (fever) got hold of you?’ ‘What is Umm Mildam?’ he asked. He said, ‘The heat between the skin and the flesh.’ The bedouin said, ‘No.’ He asked, ‘Have you got a headache?’ ‘What is headache?’ the man asked. He replied, ‘A wind which appears in the head and beats the veins.’ ‘No,’ he said, When he stood up, he said, ‘Whoever wants to look at a man who is one of the people of the Fire,’ i.e. ‘let them look at that man.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

Chapter 227: Visiting Someone Ill During The Night

496. Khalid bin al-Rabi, reported that when the illness of Huzayfah became serious his group and the Ansar heard of it. They visited him at night or in the (early) morning. Sayyidina Huzayfah asked, “What time is it?” They said, “It is midnight or nearing morning.” He said, “I seek refuge in Allah from the morning which heralds admittance to Hell.” He then asked, “Have you brought the cloth? Do no shroud me in costly (cloth), for if there is good for me with Allah then I will be given a better replacement but if it is the other way then even this will be taken away quickly”.
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

497. It is reported by Ayeshah that the Prophet said, “When a Believer falls ill, Allah cleans him of sin as a kiln removes the rust from iron”.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Shaykh Husayn al-‘Awaayisha (hafizahullah) said: “Perhaps the author – may Allah shower blessings on him – placed this hadeeth under the chapter (with this heading) to demonstrate that the pains could be severe on the sick requiring that he be visited in the night.”

498. It is narrated by Ayeshah (ra) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “when a Muslim is afflicted by an anxiety, pain or sickness then, because of that, his sins are atoned. So much, so that if a thorn pricks him or he suffers a simple, minor injury (His sins are forgiven)”.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

499. It is narrated by Sayyidah Ayeshah daughter of Sad that her father Sad bin Abu Waqqas said:
I was seriously ill at Makkah and the Prophet visited me. I said to him “Messenger of Allah, I shall leave behind me a good fortune and I have only a daughter (as my heir). Shall I bequeath two-thirds of my property to be spent in charity and leave one-third (for the heir)?” He said, “No!” Then I asked, “Shall I bequeath half and leave her half?” He again said, “No”. Then I asked, “Shall I Bequeath one-third and leave two- third (for her)?” the Prophet said,”(You may bequeath) one-third, but even one-third is much”.
He then placed his hand on my forehead and passed it over my face and stomach and made this supplication. “O Allah, cure sad and completed his emigration.” Ever since I have not ceased to sense the pleasant cool of his hand on my liver.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaanee said, “From the benefits in this hadeeth is, “(the recommendation for) the leader and those below him to visit the sick, more so when the sickness is severe. And placing the hand upon the forehead of the sick, and rubbing his face and the area where he feels the pains with the hand…(It also demonstrates) the permissibility of the sick’s telling about the severity of the sickness when that does not include something prohibited or disliked of show of vexation and annoyance. This is more so if that is done by way of seeking supplications or medicine, infact such is conceivably encouraged. (The hadeeth also prove that) that does not contradict the encouraged patience…” The hadeeth forms a major proof in the matters of inheritance.

Chapter 228: A patient is credited with the deeds that he used to do when healthy

500. It is narrated by Abdullah bin Amr that Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When a person falls ill then the reward of those deeds is also recorded for him which he used to perform when he was healthy.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadeeth demonstrates the significance of engaging in lots of good deeds while one is healthy before one becomes prevented by illness. However, during illness, in order to establish the rewards earned from good deeds performed while healthy, the ill should intend that were he healthy, he would have continued upon the good deeds.

501. Anas bin Maalik has reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When Allah involves a Muslim in bodily [pain then he is credited with a reward for those deeds which he was used to do when he was healthy as long as he is ill. Thus, if Allah gives him healing, He washes him (clean of sins). But, if he causes him to die then he forgives him.
Grade: Hasan (Sound) and Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The word, ‘asalahu is taken from the word, ‘Asal meaning, ‘extolment’

502. Abu Hurayrah said that fever presented itself before the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). It said to him, ’’Send me to those people with whom you have a very deep connection. The Prophet (ﷺ) sent it to the Ansar. So, fever gripped them for six days and six nights. Their feverish condition became very serious and the Prophet visited them at their homes. Thy complained of fever and the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) went to each house and prayed for their health. When he was returning, one of their women followed behind him and said, “By Him who has sent you with the truth, I am of the Ansar and my father is also one of the Ansar. Just as you have prayed for the Ansar, pray for me too.” The Prophet sg asked her, “What is it that you wish? If you wish, I will pray to Allah that he grant you health but if you are patient then paradise is for you.” She said, “I will endure (fever) patiently and will not risk (my chance of) admission to paradise.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The expressions, “Fever came…”, “…and said…” “…the Prophet sent it…” are clear and should not be given other than its apparent meaning for the Prophetﷺ conveyed the message of his Lord the Most High, in the most clear language without ambiguity. Owing to the Prophet’s preference for them, the Ansar are also loved by Allah the Exalted and were therefore, tried with the affliction which in turn, increased them in faith, endurance, patience and forgiveness from Allah. The hadeeth shows that the companions t were never ready to stake entrance into the Garden for the pleasures of this World

503. Abu Hurayrah said that he did not like any illness more than fever because it went into each of his limbs. And, Allah grants each limb its share of reward.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadīth describes how any illness or anxiety that besets a Muslim results in purification of his soul and forgiveness for his shortcomings. 329 Therefore if a person is tested in this way he should be patient and expect reward from Allah as expiation from his sins. In this context though trouble is not sought after as the Prophetﷺ always asked for well-being and good health and often prayed seeking refuge from serious illness, it is a sign of the mercy of Allah that one sometimes has minor illnesses to make one remember Allah’s bounty of good health and strength

504. It is reported by Abu wail that someone said to Abu Nuhaylah (when he was ill), “Pray to Allah.” So, he made this supplication, “Oh Allah, lessen the illness but do not diminish the reward.” He was again asked to supplicate Allah and he said, “O Allah, let me be among the near ones and make my mother among the hoor (maids of Paradise)”.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: It is reported that Abu Nuhayla – may Allah be pleased with him – sustained the injury for which he was asked to supplicate from an arrow-shot which reached him during a military expedition. It describes the sincere crave of the companions – may Allah be pleased with them – for rewards from Allah and forgiveness of sins. Even during illness, children should not forget to supplicate for their parents.

505. Ata bin Abu Rabah said that Ibn Abbas asked him if he would like him to show him a woman who would go to paradise. So, he said that he would certainly like (him to show him the woman). Ibn Abbas said to him. “This is a black woman who came to the Prophet and said to him, “Messenger of Allah, I am subject to fits and become uncovered, so make a supplication to Allah to cure me, “The Prophet (ﷺ) said to her, “If you endure it patiently, you will be rewarded with paradise, but if you wish I will make a supplication to Allah to cure you.” The woman said, ’I shall endure it. But, (when I get fits) I become uncovered, make supplication to Allah that I may not become uncovered. So, he made a supplication for her.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Shaykh Husayn al-‘Awaayisha (hafizahullah) said: “It shows the permissibility of describing (a person’s) color, height or shortness in order that such a person is known when that is necessary and there is no other way (to give the description), while not intending humiliation and insult.” Rather than showing vexation and annoyance because of certain illness one may suffer, we should endure patiently, supplicate to Allah to remove the distress and seek other legitimate means of cure while craving to be rewarded and forgiven our sins. See also narrations no. 506 and 507.

506. It is reported by Ibn Jurayj that Ata said to him, “I saw the woman, Umm Zufar, on the steps of the Kabah. (She was) a black woman, tall in height”. Ayeshah, said that the Prophet said, “If a thorn pricks a Believer or he is hurt more than that then that is an expiation for his sins.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

507. Abu Hurayrah reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying, “if a thorn pricks a Muslim in this world and he hopes for the reward against it then Allah forgives him his sins on the day of Resurrection”.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

508. It is narrated by Jabir that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, “If a believing man or a believing woman or a Muslim man or Muslim woman falls ill then Allah, the exalted, forgives them their sins (because of their illness).”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Allah’s mercy over the Muslim is extremely great. Apart from the favors of not affirming servitude to any deity except Allah, and believing in and following the Prophetﷺ, his pains and sorrow also bring benefits to him as long as he bears them patiently, not wailing over them. Wondrous is the affair of the Muslim, all his affairs are good for him.

chapter 229. Is it a complaint when a sick person says, “I am in pain”?

509. Hisham reported that his father (‘Urwa ibn az-Zubayr) said, “‘Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr and I went to visit Asma’ ten nights before ‘Abdullah was killed. Asma’ was in pain and ‘Abdullah asked her, ‘How are you feeling?’ ‘In pain,’ she replied. He said, ‘I am near death.’ She said, ‘Perhaps you desire my death and that is the reason you desire it? Do not do that. By Allah, I do not want to die until I reach one of the two ends: either you will be killed and I will leave you to Allah or you will win and I will be content. Beware of having your portion presented to you and then you do not agree with it. Accept it, even though you dislike death.” Ibn az-Zubayr meant that he would be killed and that would grieve her.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The point of reference in the hadeeth is the permissibility of saying, “I am in pain” during illness and that it does not amount to impatience and complaint

510. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that he came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he had a fever. He had a covering over him. He placed his hand on him and discovered that it was hot above the covering. Abu Sa’id exclaimed, ‘How hot your fever is, Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘We are like that. The affliction is hard on us, but the reward is doubled for us.’ He said, ‘Messenger of Allah, which people have the greatest affliction?’ He replied, ‘The Prophets, and then the righteous. One of them was tested by poverty to such an extent that he could only find a robe to cover himself with and he wore it. Another was tested by fleas until they killed him. They have greater joy in affliction than one of you has in gifts.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Similarly, the Prophetﷺ said, “The greatnes of reward is with the severity of affliction. If Allah loves a people, he afflicts them. So, whoever endures (patiently), earns (Allah’s) pleasure and whoever feels bitter and angered earns (Allah’s) displeasure.” (At-Tirmidhee and others). These narrations and others in their meaning about afflictions, show as Imam Al-Albaanee (الله رحمه (explained, “that the stronger the believer gets in faith, the more he is afflicted and tried, and vice-versa.” The point of reference in the hadeeth here, is that mentioning the severity of one’s illness or affliction, does not basically count as bitterness and indignance.

chapter 230. Visiting someone who has fainted

511. Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah said, “I was ill, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came with Abu Bakr to visit me. They came on foot. They found that I had fainted, so the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did wudu’ and then poured his wudu’ water on me. I came to and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was there. I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, what should I do with my property? Give me a judgement regarding my property.’ He did not give me any answer until the ayat of inheritance was revealed.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadeeth is evidence that, that a person looses consciousness during an illness should not prevent us from visiting him. Apart from the benefit he gets from the supplications of those who visit, the relatives of the sick gain moral strength from such visits. The concern of the Prophetﷺ for the welfare of his companions – y – is also highlighted in this hadeeth.

chapter 231. Visiting children who are ill

512. Usama ibn Zayd reported that a child of one of the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was very ill. His mother sent word to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to say that her child was dying. He told the messenger, “Go and tell her that to Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives. Everything is with Him until a stated term. She should be patient and leave him to Allah.” The messenger went back and told her. She sent to him again to plead with him to come. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up with a group of his Companions, including Sa’d ibn ‘Ubada. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took the child and put him on his breast. The child was shaking like a leaf against his chest. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wept and Sa’d said, “Do you weep, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “I weep out of compassion for the child. Allah only shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: It encourages that the people of knowledge and piety should visit the dying person and that they may even be pleadingly requested to do so at such times. We should condole the bereaved family, urging them to be patient and hopeful of reward from Allah; one does not need to be invited to attend funeral rites or pay condolence visits as is the case with feasts. The Prophet’s daughter whose child was ill was Zaynab as is clearly stated in other versions of the narration. See comments on the narrations in Chapter 53

chapter 232. Chapter

513. Ibrahim ibn Abi ‘Abla said, “My wife was ill and I used to go to Umm ad-Darda’. She asked me, ‘How’s your family?’ ‘Ill,’ I replied. She called for some food for me and I ate. Then I went back and she did the same thing again. I visited her yet again and she asked, ‘How are they?’ ‘They are almost well,’ I replied. She said, ‘I called for good for you when you told me that your family were ill. Since they are almost well know, we will not call for anything for you.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The pious predecessors were concerned with the welfare of other Muslims. They would provide their needs according to their abilities, and would not pretend in the least.

chapter 233. Visiting Bedouins

514. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to visit a bedouin when he was ill and said, “Do not worry. It is a purification if Allah so wills.” He said that the bedouin said, “It is a fever which boils in an old man and will cause him to visit the graves.” “It is a blessing then,” he concluded.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadeeth exhorts towards visiting the sick and supplicating for them. The statement of the Prophetﷺ, ‘Then it is so…’ after the man contradicted him was not a supplication against the Bedouin but an information about what will become of him as is pointed to by other reports of the narration. Nevertheless, we are warned against opposing the Prophetﷺ: ‘And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest 343 some trials and afflictions should befall them…

chapter 234. Visiting the sick

515. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked, “Which of you is fasting today?” Abu Bakr said, “I am.” He asked, “Which of you has visited a sick person today? “I have,” Abu Bakr stated. Then he asked, “Who has attended a funeral today?” “I have,” Abu Bakr said. He asked, “Who has fed a poor person today?” Abu Bakr said, “I have.” Marwan, the transmitter, said, “I heard that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, observed, “These qualities are not brought together in one man on a single day but that he will enter the Garden.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Imam al-Albaanee (الله رحمه (explains, “It contains the virtue of Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq t and glad tidings for him that he will enter the Garden, and the narrations on that are nice and many. It also contains the excellence of combining these qualities on a single day, and that their been found in a single person is glad tiding of the Garden (for such person). May 344 Allah make us from its people.”

516. Jabir said, “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited Umm as-Sa’ib while she was sighing. He asked, ‘What is wrong with you?’ ‘The fever,’ she replied, “May Allah debase it!’ The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Gently! Do not curse it. It removes the errors of the believer as the bellows remove the dross of iron.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Apart from the lessons of the encouragement to visit the sick, supplicating for and guiding them towards what will benefit them, the hadeeth emphasizes endurance and patience during illnesses and the prohibition of cursing illnesses.

517. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah says: ‘I asked you for food and you did not feed Me. He (His slave) will say, ‘Lord, how could I feed You when You did not ask me for food and You are the Lord of the universe?’ He will say, ‘Do you not know that My slave so-and-so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Do you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that action with Me? Son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me water.’ The slave will reply, ‘O Lord, how could I give you water when You are the Lord of the universe?’ He will say, ‘My slave so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him water. Do you not know that if you had given him water, you would have found that action with Me? Son of Adam, I was ill and you did not visit Me.’ He will say, ‘O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the universe?’ He will say, ‘Do you not know that My slave so-and-so was ill. If you had visited him you would have found that action with Me (or you would have found Me with him).”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Allah the Exalted has connected what the servant should have done of feeding, visiting the sick and so on, to Himself – Glorious is He – showing Allah’s kindness towards the sick.

518. Sa’id reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Visit the sick. Follow funeral processions. Remind yourselves of the Next World.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: While some of the scholars rule visiting the sick as Suprerogatory, others among them view that it is Obligatory. Firstly because the basic ruling regarding the orders of Allah and His messengerﷺ is obligation. Secondly for the fact that visiting the sick is from the rights of one Muslim over the others as pointed to in the next hadeeth under this chapter, and it is obligatory to maintain the rights of people. This is the correct position – Allah willing. Following funeral processions has the same ruling for the same reasons. The journey to the world hereafter is preceded by sickness, death and funeral performed on the dead. So visiting the sick and taking part in funeral rites reminds of and encourages one to prepare apprioprately for the ultimate end, death, and procession to the Hereafter. May Allah grant us good end; Amin.

519. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “There are three things which are all a duty for every Muslim: to visit the sick, to attend funerals, and to say, ‘may Allah have mercy on you’ when someone sneezes if he praises Allah Almighty.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Tashmeet al-‘Aatish in the Arabic text means, “to say, ‘May Allah have mercy on you’”. In other reports, the obligations include: replying his greeting of salam and attending invitation. (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim). In another report in Muslim, it adds: “And when he seeks your counsel be sincere to him”.

235. Someone who visits a sick person making supplication that he will get well

520. Three of the Banu Sa’d related from their father that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited Sa’d (ibn Abi Waqqas) in Makka and Sa’d wept. He asked, “Why are your weeping?” Sa’d replied, “I fear that I will die in the land from which I have emigrated as Sa’d (ibn Khawla) died.” The Prophet said, “O Allah, heal Sa’d!” three times. Sa’d said, “I have a lot of property which my daughter will inherit. Shall I will all of it away?” “No,” he replied. Sa’d asked, “Two- thirds?” “No,” he replied. “A half then?” Sa’d asked. “No,” he answered. Sa’d asked, “A third?” “A third,” he said, “but a third is a lot. What you give as sadaqa from your property is sadaqa. What you spend on your family is sadaqa. What your wife eats of your food is sadaqa for you. It is better for you to leave your family in a state of plenty (or he said “livelihood”) than to leave them where they have to importune people.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The three children of Sa’d bin Abee Waqqas are: ‘Aamir, Mus’ab and A’aisha – may Allah shower blessings on them them. The hadeeth highlights the following: 1. The Companions’ sincere crave for Allah’s beautiful rewards and their fear for loosing them; So, Sa’d cried. 2. Their sincere love for the Prophetﷺ. 3. They would seek his counsel even in pressing conditions, and he would ever guide them towards the best. 4. It encourages working hard to provide the needs of our household and discourages begging. 5. It exhorts towards supplicating for the sick. See comments on hadeeth no. 499.

236. The excellence of visiting someone who is ill

521. Abu Qilaba reported from Abu’l-Ash’ath as-San’ani that Abu Asma’ said, “Whoever visits his brother is in a tent of the Garden.” I (the transmitter) asked Abu Qilaba, “What is the tent of the Garden?” “Its fruits,” he replied. I said to Abu Qilaba, “From whom did Asma’ transmit?” “From Thawban from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,” he replied.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Visiting the sick draws near the Garden and distances from the Fire.

chapter 237. The hadith about the person who is ill and the person who visits him

522. Abu Bakr ibn Juz’ and Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir were some people from the mosque who visited ‘Umar ibn al-Hakam ibn Rafi’ al-Ansari. They said, “Abu Hafs! Relate to us!” He said, “I heard ‘Abdullah say that he heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “When someone visits a sick person, he dives into mercy to such an extent that when he sits with him, he settles in it.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Apart from the tremendous virtues of visiting the sick, the hadeeth encourages whoever is giving an admonition to consider the apprioprateness of whatever he is going to talk about. The point of reference in it is the permissibility for the visitors to request the sick person to talk to them.

chapter 238. Someone who prays in the presence of a sick person

523. ‘Ata’ said, “Ibn ‘Umar visited Ibn Safwan and the time came for the prayer. So Ibn ‘Umar prayed two rak’ats with them and then observed, ‘I am travelling.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

chapter 239. Visiting a mushrik

524. Anas reported that a Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The boy became ill and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to visit him. He sat by his head and said, “Become a Muslim.” The boy looked at his father who was also sitting by his head. His father said to him, “Obey Abu’l-Qasim (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).” So the boy became a Muslim. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, left saying, “Praise be to Allah who has saved him from the Fire!”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: It shows the Prophet’s kindness towards all. Even while the boy was dying, heﷺ invited him to accept Islam and was very glad after the boy’s acceptance. Allah the Exalted said: “We have sent you (O Muhammad) not, but as a mercy to all that exists.” (Al-Anbiyaa: 107)

chapter 240. What to say to someone who is ill

525. ‘A’isha said, “When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to Madina, Abu Bakr and Bilal came down with a fever. I visited them and asked, ‘Father, how are you? Bilal, how are you?’ When Abu Bakr’s fever worsened, he said:
‘Every man is struck down among his people in the morning, when death is closer than the strap of his sandal.’
“When the fever left Bilal, he raised his voice:
‘And whether one day I will go the waters of Majinna!
Will the mountains of Shama and Tafil appear to me?'”
‘A’isha continued, “I then went to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and told him what they had said. He said, ‘O Allah! Make us love Madina as we love Makka or even more! Make it healthy. Bless us in its sa’ and its mudd. Take its fever away and put it in al-Juhfa.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaanee (said, “It contains evidence that a woman may visit a sick man if she is apprioprately dressed, and no trial is feared thereof.” Majinna is a location some miles from Makkah; while Shama and Tafeel are two wells near Makkah. In their verses, Abu Bakr and Bilal (recalled Makkah and its serene atmosphere, its sweet water, fascinating mountains and cool breeze which implied their inclination towards the city. Thus, the Prophet’s supplication, so that they do not nurse the least desire to return to Makkah after they had migrated from it. Imam an-Nawawee (explained that the hadeeth, “has evidence of praying for sicknesses, ailment and destruction against non-Muslims” for that will certainly distract them from the Muslims. Juhfah at the time was

526. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to visit a bedouin who was ill. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited someone who was ill, he would say, ‘There is no harm in it. It is a purification, Allah willing.” That man then said, “A purification! No, rather it is a fever which boils (or appears) in an old man and will cause him to visit the graces.” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “All right then.”
Commentary: Similar to No. 514, with a different isnād.

527. Nafi’ reported that when Ibn ‘Umar visited someone who was ill, he would ask him how he was. When he left him, he would say, “May Allah choose what is best for you.” He did not say more than that.
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

chapter 241. What the sick person answers

528. ‘Amr ibn Sa’id said, “Al-Hajjaj visited Ibn ‘Umar while I was with him, He asked, ‘How are you?’ ‘Sound,’ he replied. He asked, ‘What is wrong with you?’ He replied, “I have been afflicted by the business of carrying arms on a day when it is not lawful to carry them.’ He was referring to al- Hajjaj.*” * That was when al-Hajjaj was laying siege to ‘Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr in the Haram.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Hajjaj mentioned here, is Ibn Yūsuf ath-Thaqafī, the notorious ruler of Banū Umayya. Ibn ‘Umar (عنهام الله ريض (was wounded in the sole of his feet with an arrowhead and his feet would stick to the stirrups of his ride. The narration indicates the courageousness of the Companions, and the fact that they upheld practicing caution in advance. Unnecessarily taking arms to public gatherings, unfortunately contradicts this noble practice. The point of reference in the narration vis-à-vis the chapter heading is the companion’s response to his visitor.

chapter 242. Visiting someone who is a deviant (fasiq)

529. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As said, “Do not visit wine-drinkers when they are ill.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)
Commentary: If it is allowed to visit a sick non-Muslim, and more so, when such may lead to the person’s acceptance of Islam, visiting the erring Muslim is encouraged if doing so would encourage him to abandon his errors and turn to Allah in repentance. See hadeeth no. 524. Nevertheless, the erring Muslim is still a Muslim and the basic ruling about visiting sick Muslims is obligation. See hadeeth no. 518 and 519.This hadeeth which apparently points to the contrary is even weak

chapter 243. Women visiting a man who is ill

530. Al-Harith ibn ‘Abdullah al-Ansari said, “I saw Umm ad-Darda’ going to visit an Ansari man from the mosque and she was on her mount in an uncovered howdah.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)
Commentary: Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaanee (الله رحمه (said, “It contains evidence that a woman may visit a sick man if she is apprioprately dressed, and no trial is feared thereof.” Majinna is a location some miles from Makkah; while Shama and Tafeel are two wells near Makkah. In their verses, Abu Bakr and Bilal (عنهام الله ريض (recalled Makkah and its serene atmosphere, its sweet water, fascinating mountains and cool breeze which implied their inclination towards the city. Thus, the Prophet’s supplication, so that they do not nurse the least desire to return to Makkah after they had migrated from it. Imam an-Nawawee (الله رحمه (explained that the hadeeth, “has evidence of praying for sicknesses, ailment and destruction against non-Muslims” for that will certainly distract them from the Muslims. Juhfah at the time was

chapter 244. Someone who dislikes for visitors to look at other things in his house

531. ‘Abdullah ibn Abi’l-Hudhayl said, “‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud went to visit a sick person with some other people. There was a woman in the room and one of the men began to look at her, ‘Abdullah said to him, ‘It would have been better for you if your eyes had been gouged out.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Dislike mentioned in the chapter heading is of prohibition based the statement of Ibn Mas’ud – t – the like of which is authentically reported from the Prophetﷺ about a person unlawfully looking around the house. Since the eyes were contradicting the essence of their creation: obedience and not disobedience to Allah, it would have been better if they were gouged out than been employed for sin!

chapter 245. Visiting someone with eye trouble

532. Zayd ibn Arqam said, “I had a pain in my eyes and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited me and said, ‘Zayd, if tour eyes were to go blind because of their illness, what would you do?’ He said, ‘I would be steadfast and reckon my reward to be with Allah.’ He said, ‘If that happens to your eyes and you are steadfast and reckon your reward to be with Allah, then your reward will be the Garden.'”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)
Commentary: However, the beginning of the hadeeth that the Prophetﷺ visited him when he had conjunctivitis (translated as pains) is authentic. See: Saheeh by Imam Al-Albaanee (الله رحمه .(The hadeeth “shows the encouragement of visiting the sick even if the illness is not threatening, and that such is also considered as visiting the sick and its reward is established too. However, some have reported that visiting the one with conjunctivitis and toothache is against the Sunnah but the hadeeth 357 refutes that. I do not know how it became easy for them to assert that it is against the Sunnah while the Sunnah actually contradicts that! We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our souls.” See Sharh Saheeh al-Adab alMufrad by Shaykh al-‘Awaayisha (hafizahullah).

533. Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad reported that one of the Companions of Muhammad lost his eyesight and people visited him. He said, “I used to look at the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, but now that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has died, by Allah, what has happened to my eyes is as easy for me to bear as one of the gazelles of Tibala (in Yemen).”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

534. Anas said, “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say that Allah Almighty said, ‘When I test him in his two precious ones (i.e. his eyes) and he is steadfast, I will repay him with the Garden.'”
534. Anas said, “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say that Allah Almighty said, ‘When I test him in his two precious ones (i.e. his eyes) and he is steadfast, I will repay him with the Garden.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: What a great recompense! While the delight of the eyesight ends with the world, the delight of the Garden is everlasting. It shows Allah’s mercy over His creatures.

535. Abu Umama reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah says, ‘O son of Adam, when I take what is precious from you and you are steadfast in the face of the blow and reckon that your reward is with Allah, the only reward which I am content for you to have is the Garden.”
Grade: Hasan (Sound) and Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The reward of the Garden could refer to being amongst those who will be liberated from the Fire, if such Muslim was very erring deserving the Fire or that he will be given a special status in the Garden. This narration and the one before it are like beneficial words with which the person suffering from an eye illness could be comforted when visited

chapter 246. Where does should a person sit when he visits a sick person?

536. Ibn ‘Abbas said, “When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited a sick person, he would sit by his head and then say seven times, ‘I ask Allah the Immense, the Lord of the Immense Throne, to cure you.’ If the time of the invalid had not yet come, he would be cured of his pain.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

537. Ar-Rabi’ ibn al-Hasan said, “I went with al-Hasan to visit Qatada. He sat by his head and asked after him and made supplication for him. He said, ‘O Allah, heal his heart and cure him of his illness!”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)