Etiquette of Visiting the Sick

Visiting the sick is a commendable and noble act encouraged in Islam, as it represents a right one Muslim has over another. According to Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are six: When you meet him, greet him; When he invites you, accept it; When he seeks advice, provide it; When he sneezes and praises Allah, say ‘may Allah have mercy on you’; When he falls ill, visit him; and when he passes away, follow his funeral.”

There are several ethical guidelines to adhere to while visiting a sick person, which Islam instructs us to observe in order to ensure that the visit does not negatively impact the patient’s wellbeing. Among the most critical manners to observe are:

Choosing the Right Time

When planning to visit a sick individual, it’s imperative to select a suitable time, avoiding periods when the patient is resting or eating. Visiting at inappropriate times can lead to lost rewards and potentially cause discomfort to the patient. Visitors should generally choose times that are customary and acceptable, which can vary by cultural context and period. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) noted: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not specify particular days or times for visiting the ill, but rather sanctioned visiting at all hours, day or night, so long as it did not disturb the patient’s peace.”

Minimizing Questions

When visiting the sick, it is advisable to limit inquiries and instead offer kind words, prayers, and consolation. One should consider the patient’s condition and strive to alleviate their discomfort. As narrated by Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When you visit the sick or the deceased, speak good words, for the angels say ‘Ameen’ to what you say.”

Showing Genuine Concern

Demonstrating concern for the patient can take various forms, including:

Approaching the patient and sitting near them, placing a hand on their forehead, and inquiring about their needs or desires, assisting them in sitting or standing if necessary.
Offering words of hope and comfort, recalling the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) words to the ill: “No harm will come to you; it is a purification, if Allah wills.” Reminding them to remain patient and to expect reward for their endurance.
Communicating gently, avoiding causing fear about their illness, and praying for their healing and well-being while reciting healing supplications.

Avoiding Interference with Medical Equipment

One negative behavior observed during visits is tampering with medical devices. It is essential to recognize that only healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, should handle such equipment. Visitor interference could potentially damage these devices, thus it’s vital to maintain boundaries and respect the care environment by not touching any medical apparatus.

The guidelines presented above underscore the importance of adhering to certain manners when visiting the sick, ensuring that the visit alleviates the patient’s suffering and provides support rather than becoming a burden.

Positive Impact of Adhering to Visiting Etiquette

Visiting the sick yields numerous benefits that positively affect the patient, including:

Reducing the psychological stress the patient may experience from confining illness, as awareness that others care can provide comfort.
Visits from friends and loved ones can help the patient navigate their illness while minimizing feelings of anxiety or depression, improving their overall mood.
The advice and encouragement provided by visitors regarding adherence to medical advice can motivate the patient to follow through with their treatment, fostering quicker recovery.

The comforting presence of visitors can significantly enhance the patient’s psychological state, potentially accelerating their healing process.

Rewards Associated with Visiting the Sick

In Islamic teachings, the rewards for actions taken by an individual—whether meritorious or otherwise—take on unique attributes, offering both worldly and spiritual compensation. Visiting the sick is a virtuous deed that brings rewards in both realms, explained as follows:

Worldly Rewards

Visiting the sick fosters kinship, connection, and love among Muslims. It acts as a remedy for any hardness in the visitor’s heart, invoking feelings of compassion, while also reminding them of the transient nature of life and the value of health that others may lack. As one scholar stated, “Visit the prison once in a lifetime to appreciate your freedom; visit the courts annually to cherish good character; visit the hospital monthly to value your health; and visit your Creator consistently to acknowledge the blessings in life.”

Additionally, such visits remind Muslims of their trials, reinforcing the idea that their circumstances may be better than others. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “Allah (mighty and sublime) says: ‘When I afflict one of My believing servants and they thank Me for the trial, they will rise from their resting place like the day their mother gave birth to them from sin, and I will record their deeds as if they were still in good health.”

Spiritual Rewards

Those who visit the sick attain immense rewards, as it is a commendable action emphasized in Islamic tradition, encompassing the following blessings:

Gain of Allah’s pleasure and reward: According to Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will say to the son of Adam: ‘I was sick, and you did not visit Me.’ He will reply, ‘O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?’ Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick, and you did not visit him? If you had visited him, you would have found Me with him.’” This implies that the visitor is honored and brought closer to Allah during their visit.

Angelic prayers: As narrated, “Whenever a Muslim visits a sick person in the morning, seventy thousand angels invoke blessings upon him until evening. If he visits in the evening, they continue to pray for him until morning. Furthermore, he is promised a date orchard in paradise.”

Divine mercy: As Jaber ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever visits a sick person immerses himself in divine mercy until he sits down.”

Joy and contentment: The visitor enjoys a sense of joy as they walk towards the ill person, elevated in the gardens of paradise. The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked, “When a Muslim visits his brother, he remains in a part of paradise until he returns.”

Just as visiting the sick impacts the patients positively, it also brings numerous rewards and benefits to the visitor, encompassing both worldly blessings that remind them of Allah’s favors and the spiritual rewards granted for fulfilling this noble duty.

Legal Evidence Supporting the Etiquette of Visiting the Sick

There exists an abundance of legal evidence emphasizing the significance and etiquette of visiting the sick. Below are some compelling references:

Evidence for choosing an appropriate time: Anas bin Malik stated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) would not visit a sick person except after three days,” which is a weak narration. The consensus, however, is that the timing of the visit should be based on customary practices rather than being strictly bound by time, with the emphasis on choosing appropriate moments.

Evidence for minimizing questions and speaking positively to the patient: Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, “When you visit the sick or the deceased, always speak well, as the angels affirm your words.”

Evidence against lengthy visits: Abu Dharr narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Visit occasionally to gain love.’”

Evidence for showing interest in the patient: After the battle of Khandaq, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would check on the companion Akhil, asking, “How did you sleep?” Upon morning assessments, he continued to show genuine interest in his wellbeing.

Evidence of praying for the sick: The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have stated, “Don’t worry, it is a purification if Allah wills.”

Visiting the sick is a commendable act that merits considerable reward, boasting numerous advantages for both the visitor and the patient alike, both psychologically and physically. Observing the prescribed etiquette, such as selecting suitable visiting times, reducing inquiries to avoid distress, and demonstrating genuine concern significantly enhances the patient’s mood and supports their recovery. Furthermore, it is essential to avoid negative behaviors, such as tampering with medical equipment.