A Walk Toward Paradise: Visiting The Sick

Hadith About Visiting Sick

One reality of life in this world, which is full of trials, is illness. When people fall ill, in addition to every kind of medical treatment, they need care, attention, morale, motivation, and spiritual support. At this point, “visiting the sick” is a precious humanitarian and Islamic duty.1 It fulfills the rights of kinship, brotherhood, and neighborliness; contributes to the recovery process of individuals; prevents them from succumbing to feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, pessimism, rebellion, and even suicide; brings love, respect, care, and compassion in hearts into life; and plays a crucial role in building and maintaining social unity and solidarity.

In a sacred hadith, it is stated:

“God will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘O son of Adam! I was sick, but you did not visit Me.’ The person will respond, ‘O my Lord! How could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?’ God will then say, ‘Did you not know that one of My servants was sick and you did not visit him? If you had visited him, you would have found Me with him…’“2

This highlights the significance of visiting the sick in the eyes of God. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Visit the sick!” 3 He considered visiting the sick among the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim 4 and mentioned it as one of the deeds that lead a person to Paradise. He informed that those who visit the sick gather fruits of Paradise until they return 5 and that the angels pray to God for them at every step. If they visit in the morning, the angels pray until the evening, and if they visit in the evening, the angels pray until the morning. Furthermore, he said that they earn a garden in Paradise. 6

It is stated that those who visit the sick immerse themselves in mercy and come under God’s protection. 7 A voice from the heavens calls out to those who visit the sick for the sake of God, saying, “What a pleasant and good deed you have done! With this visit, you have prepared a place for yourself in Paradise.” 8

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), who was sent as a mercy to the worlds, did not only explain the importance and significance of visiting the sick in Islam and the spiritual rewards it brings to the believer. Throughout his noble life, he was very attentive and would visit anyone he heard was ill, whether believers or people of any identity, regardless of race, religion, gender, poverty, wealth, or social status. He provided spiritual support, boosted morale, gave advice, and prayed for their recovery and well-being. 9

His Visits to Muslims

“Indeed, the Messenger of God said, ‘I am to you like a father to his children.’“ He is deeply fond of the believers. The Qur’an draws attention to this aspect of him with the verse, “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” 10 He (peace and blessings be upon him) does not leave the believers alone when they face difficulties, including illness; he visits them and provides both material and spiritual support. Here are a few examples:

His Visits to the Muhajirun and Ansar

After the migration (Hijrah), the Muhajirun (emigrants) faced difficulties in Medina due to the climate and water not suiting them well. They fell ill to the point where they could not even stand for prayers. This added to their longing for their homeland, compounding their sadness on top of everything they had left behind. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) visited the sick Muhajirun. When informed of their sorrowful state and their delirium, he raised his hands and prayed, “O God! Make Medina a healthy place for us. Send its fever and malaria to the outskirts of Juhfa…” 11

Once, nearly all of the Ansar were afflicted with a fever. Upon this, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) visited each neighborhood and every house, providing them with both material and spiritual support. As he departed, he prayed for their recovery and well-being. 12

His Visit to a Poor Woman

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) closely monitored the conditions of the poor and needy in society and was very sensitive in meeting their needs. One day, he received news that one of them had fallen ill. He immediately rose and visited the person, finding their condition to be very serious. Before leaving, he instructed that he should be informed if the person passed away. The woman eventually passed away, but they performed her funeral and burial without notifying him. When the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) learned of this, he expressed his dismay, saying, “Did I not tell you to inform me if she passed away?” He then went to her grave, visited it, and performed the funeral prayer. 13

His Visit to Talha ibn Bara

The respected Talha ibn Bara, a young Companion from the Ansar, fell seriously ill. Upon hearing the news, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) promptly visited him, despite his home being distant. Upon arrival, he found Talha in a coma. After waiting for a while, he instructed that he should be informed even if Talha passed away during the night, and then he departed.Shortly after the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) left, Talha regained consciousness, and he was informed of the Prophet’s visit. Talha, concerned for the Prophet’s safety traveling at night, instructed that if he were to pass away, he should be buried without informing the Prophet. That night, Talha passed away and was buried discreetly. In the morning, upon learning of this, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) visited Talha’s family, inquired why they did not inform him, and listened to Talha’s concerns. Then, he went to the grave of this young Companion, performed the funeral prayer, and raised his hands in supplication, saying, “O God! Meet Talha with a smiling face from You and he with a smiling face towards You!” 14

His Visit to Salman al-Farsi

The Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) heard that Salman al-Farsi had fallen ill and visited him. He provided spiritual support and prayed, “O Salman! May God grant you healing from your illness, forgive you, and grant you well-being in your religion and body until your passing.”15

His Visit to Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas

During the Farewell Pilgrimage (Wada Hajj), Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas fell severely ill, and fearing that his migration (Hijrah) might remain incomplete, he was bent over in concern. Upon learning of his condition, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) visited him in his sickbed. He listened to his worries and prayed, “O God! Grant Sa’d healing and complete his migration.” 16 Afterward, he called for a physician, informed them of Sa’d’s distress, and provided the doctor with some advice regarding his treatment.

His Visit to Sa’d ibn Ubada

Sa’d ibn Ubada, the leader of the Khazraj tribe, fell ill. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), accompanied by some Companions, visited him. Upon arrival, he noticed that Sa’d’s family was gathered around him and asked, “Has he passed away?” They replied, “No, O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him)!” When they moved aside, he saw that Sa’d’s condition was severe and he was in great pain. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) became saddened, tears welled up in his eyes, and those present also began to cry. He turned to them and said, “Do you not know that God does not punish a person due to tears shed or sorrow of the heart? But -pointing to his tongue with his hand- He punishes or forgives because of this.”

His Visit to Sa’d ibn Mu’adh

During critical times, Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, the leader of the Aws tribe who provided great support to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) with his exemplary and steadfast stance, was wounded in the arm by an artery during the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), besieging the fortress of the treacherous Banu Qurayza, arranged for a tent to be set up for Sa’d in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) for both his treatment and frequent visits.

Despite the ongoing siege, the Prophet visited him regularly, morning and evening. He closely monitored his treatment process, inquired about his well-being, and showed profound care and attention towards him. 18

His Visit to the Polytheists

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) displayed extraordinary patience, tolerance, and effort in reaching the hearts of his polytheist adversaries and guiding them to encounter the Almighty. Despite their injustices and persecutions, he pondered their disbelief and the dire consequences awaiting them, feeling deeply troubled: “You may grieve yourself to death with sorrow because they refuse to believe in this (Qur’an).” 19

The polytheistic community often engaged in actions deserving of condemnation towards him and his Companions. However, he prayed, “O God, guide my people because they do not know,” expressing his fervent desire for their guidance. When they fell ill, he visited them to win their hearts:

Abu Talib, the uncle of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), was entrusted with his care by his grandfather Abdulmuttalib before passing away when Muhammad was only eight years old. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), remained under the guardianship of his kind uncle Abu Talib until the age of twenty-five, when he married Khadijah. When appointed as a prophet at the age of forty, he faced fierce opposition from the leaders of polytheism who sought to undermine him and his mission.

During this period, Abu Talib, though not accepting Islam himself, protected his nephew and tried to prevent the leaders of Quraysh from harming him for ten years. Despite their efforts, the polytheists resorted to a boycott in their final attempt to silence him and his family, besieging them for three years. Elderly Abu Talib became severely weakened during the boycott, and his health deteriorated day by day. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), visited him in his illness, offered him solace, and wished to impart the message of faith for his eventual honor and passing. 20

His Visit to the People of the Book

After the migration to Medina, the Messenger of God (peace and blessing be upon him) aimed to establish and maintain relations with the Jewish tribes, which constituted forty percent of Medina’s population, on a constitutional and legal basis within the framework of good neighborly relations. He implemented the Constitution of Medina with their participation, which aimed to put an end to their internal disputes and injustices. He did not interfere in their way of life but rather addressed their conflicts and violent actions with tolerance and forgiveness, as guided by the verse: “Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves [even] after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command. Indeed, God is over all things competent.” 21 He maintained humane relations and, when they fell ill, visited them to foster goodwill towards Islam:

His Visit to the Young Patient

A Jewish young man who occasionally volunteered to serve the Messenger of Allah fell ill. Upon hearing the news, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) visited his home. Finding his condition severe, the Mercy to the Worlds offered him the invitation to embrace Islam. Before making a decision, the young man looked back at his father, who advised him, “Obey Abu’l-Qasim (the Prophet Muhammad) (peace and blessings be upon him)!” Comforted by this response from his father, he immediately uttered the declaration of faith (Shahada). The young man was deeply moved by the Prophet’s character, and his father valued the guidance given to his son. As the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) departed, he expressed, “Praise be to God who has saved this young man from the fire of Hell!” 22

His Visit to the Patient Lying in the Synagogue

News reached the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) that a Jew had fallen ill and was taken to the synagogue/Beth Midrash for treatment. Upon hearing this, he went to visit with a group of Companions, including Abdullah ibn Mas’ud.

During the visit, someone among them began reciting a portion of the Torah to the group, but suddenly stopped. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “What happened? Why did you stop?” The person replied, “They came to the description of a prophet, so we paused.” Then, crawling forward, the sick Jew took the Torah, read the verses that described the qualities of the coming Prophet and his nation to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), and said, “These are your qualities and the qualities of your nation. I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and you are the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him).” Shortly thereafter, he passed away. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed his Companions, “Take care of your brother; lift his funeral.” 23

The Companions Continuing Their Visit to the Sick

The Companions, who took the Prophet’s manners, demeanor, and behavior as their example and model, continued their visits to sick individuals from various backgrounds after him. 24 For instance, the respected Abu Darda visited a Jewish neighbor who fell ill in his home. 25

His Visit to the Hypocrites

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions migrated to Medina upon the invitation of the believers from the Aws and Khazraj tribes, just as Abdullah ibn Ubayy, who was preparing to take leadership in Medina, saw all his plans fall apart. Unable to accept this situation, Ibn Ubayy initiated a campaign of hypocrisy in Medina, collaborating with groups hostile to Islam. He aimed to undermine unity within the community and sought every opportunity to harm Islam and Muslims.

During critical times and processes, he abandoned Muslims and even led accusations against the honor of the Prophet’s household. Aware of his activities, despite everything, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) treated him kindly and sought to win his heart. Upon hearing of Ibn Ubayy’s illness after the expedition of Tabuk, the Prophet visited his home to offer condolences. Ibn Ubayy’s children were devout and sincere believers.

The Prophet’s visit had a profound impact on them, even though it did not change Ibn Ubayy’s stance. In fact, his son Abdullah requested the Prophet’s shirt to use as a shroud upon his death, which the Prophet agreed to provide. 26

His Visit to the Bedouins

The Bedouins are nomadic Arabs who live in the deserts. The harsh and rugged climate of the desert becomes ingrained in their character; their attitudes, behaviors, and manners are often blunt and lacking in refinement.

However, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) did not discriminate among his audience in delivering his message and made great efforts to win their hearts. One day, news reached him that a Bedouin was ill. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) set out to visit the sick Bedouin. Upon reaching him, he said, “Do not worry. The discomfort causing your illness will go away, and you will become clean.” In response, the Bedouin rudely replied, “No! It’s not like that! Rather, it is a fever that burns like fire on an old man! It visits graves.” His response was coarse and disrespectful. Faced with this hurtful behavior, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) maintained his composure and politeness, saying, “Very well, so be it!” He then departed from there. 27

Conclusion

As observed, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) placed great importance on visiting the sick, which fosters human relationships and strengthens social bonds, bringing people together. As a prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), leader, and guide, he engaged in visiting the sick not only to provide spiritual support for their recovery but also to establish peace, security, brotherhood, unity, solidarity, and harmony within the community he led, without distinction of identity.

One day, someone asked the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), “How are you, O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him),?” He replied, “I am better today than someone who is not fasting and has not visited a sick person.” Upon this, the same person asked, “What is visiting the sick like?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), replied, “It is like fasting,” emphasizing the significant reward that visiting the sick carries for a believer. 28

Undoubtedly, the life of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) serves as the most beautiful example for believers, and the wise principles he established are sources of truth, goodness, and blessings for them.

Therefore, believers visit sick individuals who are medically fit to receive visitors, at times and conditions that do not inconvenience them. They can provide both material and spiritual support, alleviate anxieties and fears, and make them feel they are not alone. In doing so, believers fulfill a significant duty and responsibility, earning rewards. They boost morale for the sick and their families, and contribute positively to achieving, maintaining, and fostering unity, harmony, and peace. In this context, one of the questions the respected Umar used to ask when inspecting governors and officials was whether they engaged in visiting the sick. This underscores the social importance of the matter.

Autor: Yücel Men

Yücel Men completed his undergraduate education in theology in 2003. He finished his master’s degree in 2012. In 2015-2016, he taught courses as a visiting lecturer at a private university.

Footnotes

1.See Bukhari, Marda 4; chapter heading

2.Muslim, Birr and Sila 13

3.See Bukhari, Marda 4; Janaiz 2; Muslim, Libas 2

4.See Bukhari, Janaiz 2; Muslim, Salam 3; Abu Dawud, Adab 90

5.See Muslim, Birr 39, 40-42; Tirmidhi, Janaiz 2; Ibn Majah, Janaiz 2

6.See Tirmidhi, Janaiz 2; Ibn Majah, Janaiz 2

7.Ibn Hibban, Sahih 372. Hadith; Bukhari, Adab al-Mufrad 184; Malik, Muwatta, Ayn 7

8.Tirmidhi, Birr and Sila 64; Ibn Majah, Janaiz 2

9.See Bukhari, Marda 20; Muslim, Salam 19 (46/2191)

10.Surah At-Tawbah, 9/128

11.Bukhari, Marda 8

12.See Bukhari, Adab al-Mufrad 502. Hadith; Bayhaqi, Shuab al-Iman 9969. Hadith

13.Nasa’i, Janaiz 43; Malik, Muwatta 1/227