بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Sickness is one of the toughest trials one could face as it not only causes discomfort and pain but it impairs one physically and at times even mentally.
Patience is indeed a keyword as the afflictions are numerous when one become sick: disruption in daily activities and in case of a critical condition or admittance to hospital, urgent help is needed. At times also finance becomes an issue with an extended hospital stay and/or surgery, or if expensive medications are required.
It goes without saying that it requires both strong faith and contentment to pass with the affliction of sickness from the stage of patience to the higher level of gratitude.
Keep in mind that the reward of sickness is bountiful.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam said:
"No fatigue, sickness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his mistakes by it." [Bukhari]
"No believer is afflicted with a thorn-prick or what is greater than that except that a higher degree is inscribed for him, or a sin removed from him." [Muslim]
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhissallam), Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
The people who were in well being in this life will wish on Judgment Day, when the people of tribulations are given their reward, that their skin would have been cut with blades. (Tirmidhi)
As Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) teaches us:
The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath. [Tirmidhi]
He (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) exemplifies this condition, as Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
"I visited the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) during his ailments and he was suffering from high fever. I said, “You have a high fever. Is it because you will have a double reward for it?” He said, “Yes, for no Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah removes his/her sins as the leaves of a tree fall down.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam presents us with an excellent example of patience and perseverance for guidance. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that a woman came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam and said:
“I suffer from epilepsy and I become uncovered. Pray to Allah for me.” He said: (peace be upon him) “If you wish, you can be patient and Paradise will be yours, or if you wish I will pray to Allah to heal you.” She said: “I will be patient.” Then she said: “But I become uncovered. Pray to Allah that I will not become uncovered.” So he prayed for her. [Bukhari & Muslim]
She chose to bear her sickness with patience, enduring the pain and discomfort, as she preferred the hereafter over dunya, while exemplifying too the modesty of a Muslim by praying to be covered while under the influence of an epileptic seizure.
In another hadith, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) teaches us how we can reap the fruits of Paradise with the affliction of blindness, if we bear it with patience: Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
“I heard Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam saying: “Allah said, ‘If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e. his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them.” [Bukhari]
May Allah grant us and our families well being and cure those who are sick and forgive their sins and grant them patience. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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