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Visiting the sick

VISITING THE SICK

8.1 VISITING A PATIENT

It is your duty to visit your Muslim brethren in time of illness. This will enhance and nourish

the bond of Islam and the brotherhood among you. As a committed Muslim, do not

undervalue the great reward from Allah. Imam Muslim reported that the Messenger of Allah

(PBUH) said: 'A Muslim visiting ill brethren will continue to be in the Khurfa of paradise until

he, or she comes back home. He was asked, 'What is the khurfa of Paradise?' He answered,

'This means the harvest of paradise.' Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hibban in his authentic book

reported that the Messenger said: 'A visitor walking to visit a patient will be wading in the

mercy of Allah. When the visitor sits with the patient they will be immersed in mercy until

his, or her return.'

8.2 PRAYING FOR THE SICK

It is very appropriate to say few prayers for the sick asking Allah (SWT) to bless them with

recovery and help them through their sickness. Bukhari and Muslim reported that Aisha said

'If someone fell sick the Prophet would pass his right hand over them while saying the

following prayer 'O the Lord of humans, take away the suffering, bring the recovery, no cure

but your cure that leaves no ilness.' In another hadith reported by Bukhari, Ibn Abbas said

that the Prophet when vising a sick person would say: 'Hold on, may Allah cleanse you.'

The Responsibility of calling to God.

Dawah

The Shari`ah does not specify any particular method of propagation and neither does it make it obligatory upon Muslims to adhere to a particular method of Da`wah. A person may, therefore, adopt any particular method of calling to the way of the Lord, which he deems more effective in his environment and the one, which is in keeping with the bent of his particular personality.

However, the Shari`ah has made a few qualifications regarding the nature and scope of the work of Da`wah at various levels.

For Common Muslims

At a common man's level, a Muslim has been prescribed to participate in mutual admonitions and exhortations regarding steadfastly following what he has understood to be the Truth (Al-Asr 103). The words "mutual admonitions and exhortations" have defined the nature and the scope of the responsibilities of propagation, which the Qur'an has placed upon common Muslims. For instance, these words clearly imply that:

This work is done at a mutual level. This work does not create a relationship of teacher and pupil, or the learners and the learned among those who participate in it. On the contrary, it creates a relationship of mutual helpers in promoting whatever is considered good and hindering whatever is believed to be bad (or evil). The Qur'an has referred to the true Muslims as 'mutual friends, promoting good and hindering evil, among themselves' (Al-Taubah 9: 71).

Hopefulness

To hope for "the best" from God Almighty

Being positive involves submitting to God regardless of the conditions or situation, how events unfold, and the direction they take. It also involves meeting all events without anxiety or worry, and without the slightest doubt that for believers, all events eventually turn out for the best.

One of the believers' most important characteristics is that they turn to God in all of their affairs and submit to their destiny wholeheartedly. Even if things do not turn out as planned, they do not get what they really wanted or lose something or someone they really loved – in short, in all circumstances – they turn to God and see the good and the best in every event. It is not possible to hear believers say: "Why did this happen?" or "If only such and such had not happened," for they are content with God from the start and have submitted to their destiny.

Believers pray for the best from God, given that they cannot know what is "the best" for them beforehand, for such knowledge is known only to God. For instance, believers who are fully committed to Islam may wish for another person to receive guidance, to accept and practice Islam, and may, hoping for this event, pray to God. Obviously, they want what is good and legitimate and have a good intention. However, they accept that "God knows best after all." As a person can have faith only if God wills it so, believers who see that those whom they love do not receive guidance realize that there must be some good in this and thus do not become sad or fall into despair. God has made this fact clear in the following verse:

Islamic Information Centre

Visiting the sick

The Responsibility of calling to God.

Hopefulness

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