Status of a Sick Person in Islam
Certainly when we fall sick, we go to the doctor. In other words, we must visit the doctor as we need to find the cause of our illness and treat it accordingly. Further, the doctor might refer us to certain other specialists and for tests. As a result, we are nervous and frightened as to what the results shall be. In case the person is sick and diagnosed with a disease, they have to pass through lengthy and tiresome procedures. Moreover, at times these treatment procedures are really tough and painful. That is to say, the sick person goes through challenging and hard times. Further, there is a high possibility that the sick person loses hope and willpower because they are going through the toughest times of their life.
Prophet (peace be upon him) as a Sick Person
Certainly, we are aware that the greater the hardship, the greater the reward. Therefore, sickness being one of the greatest calamities, we should be aware of its rewards. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was Allah’s beloved. That is to say, there is no one in this world who is more superior to him. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that she “never saw anybody suffering so much from sickness as Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).” Sahih al-Bukhari 5646
Therefore we can guess well the status of a sick person through this. That is to say, if the most beloved person has faced so much sickness, then certainly Allah wished to bless him immensely. Therefore when we see sickness or nay other hardship as a punishment from Allah, we need to understand the best of human beings has also faced the hardship of sickness. Also, that sickness was not ordinary. It was to a great degree. So, Allah would not punish the person whom he revealed His Dear and Final Book to.
Visiting the Sick Person
The one who visits the sick person has great respect in Islam. In other words, it is our Islamic duty to visit the sick person. The significance of the sick person is such that even the person who visits them is regarded highly and are ordered to visit them. Therefore we can say that the sick person is special and blessed. Their status is immense because the one who visits them also elevates their status.
“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.”
Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1442
Visiting the Sick Person is like Meeting Allah
When a person is sick, they are closer to Allah, most importantly, when that sickness is prolonged. Further, any hardship that brings us closer to Allah is a blessing and not a punishment. Therefore, such a sickness that brings the sick person closer to Allah is a gift from Allah. Meeting a sick person means meeting Allah;
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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?”
(Muslim) Book 7, Hadith 896
Conclusion
A person can easily guarantee paradise if they face sickness in this world. In other words, when people commit sin, Allah does not want them to leave this world without expiating all their sins. That is to say, Allah wants them to return to Him pure. Further, Allah afflicts the person with sickness because He wants to elevate them in spiritual ranks.
“So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(2:185)
Allah cares about us all. Further, he cares for the sick more because that person is weak and unable to perform daily tasks with ease. Therefore Allah has simplified life for them and has saved them from further burdening their souls.
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