Hadiths Encouraging Hospital Visits
Numerous hadiths emphasize the importance of visiting the sick. Below are some noteworthy examples:
- Al-Bara’ ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded us to practice seven acts and forbade us from seven others: He commanded us to visit the sick, follow the funeral processions, respond to the sneezer, answer the caller, return the greeting, assist the oppressed, and fulfill the oath.”
- Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Release the captive, answer the inviter, and visit the sick.”
- Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The right of a Muslim upon another Muslim entails five duties: returning the greeting, visiting the sick, following the funeral, responding to an invitation, and saying ‘Yarhamuk Allah’ (may Allah have mercy on you) to a sneezer.”
- Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘Visit the sick and follow funeral processions, for they remind you of the Hereafter.’
- Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim. It was asked, ‘What are they, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied: When you meet him, greet him; if he invites you, accept his invitation; if he seeks your counsel, give him advice; if he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him, ‘Yarhamuk Allah’; if he is ill, visit him; and if he dies, follow his funeral.”
Hadiths Highlighting the Virtue of Visiting the Sick
Several hadiths illustrate the virtues associated with visiting the ill, including:
- Jaber ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever visits a sick person remains within the mercy of Allah until he sits down, and once he sits, he is immersed in it.'”
- Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “Allah – exalted and glorious – will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam! I was sick and you did not visit Me.’ The person will reply, ‘O my Lord! How could I visit You when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ Allah will respond, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Had you visited him, you would have found Me with him.'”
- Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked his companions: “Who among you fasted today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I did.” The Prophet then inquired, “Who among you followed a funeral today?” Abu Bakr again replied, “I did.” The Prophet continued, “Who among you fed a needy person today?” Once more, Abu Bakr answered, “I did.” Finally, the Prophet asked, “Who among you visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr responded, “I did.” The Prophet then proclaimed: “Whenever these virtues compile in one individual, he will enter Paradise.”
- Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) conveyed: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever struggles in the cause of Allah is guaranteed by Allah, and whoever visits the sick is guaranteed by Allah. Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning or evening is guaranteed by Allah, and whoever visits a leader to support him is guaranteed by Allah. Whoever remains in their home and refrains from gossip is guaranteed by Allah.'” This indicates that Allah will provide protection and sustenance in both this world and the Hereafter.
Hadiths Regarding the Etiquette of Visiting the Sick
Some hadiths elaborate on the etiquette of visiting the sick. They include the following:
- Um al-Mu’minin Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) stated: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘When you visit the sick or the deceased, speak good words, for the angels affirm what you say.’ She mentioned that when Abu Salamah passed away, she approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Salamah has died.’ He instructed her: ‘Say: O Allah, forgive me and him, and grant me a better successor.’ She reported that Allah provided her with someone better than him: Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) visited a Bedouin who was ill. The Prophet would reassure the ill person by saying: ‘Fear not; it’s a purification if Allah wills.’ When the Bedouin exclaimed, ‘No, it is a fever that will perish an old man, leading him to the graves,’ the Prophet affirmed, ‘In that case, you are correct.'”
Hadiths Featuring Supplications for the Sick
The following hadiths provide supplications for the sick:
- Um al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) would seek refuge for some of his family members, placing his right hand upon them and saying: ‘O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction and cure them, for You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your healing, a healing that leaves no trace of sickness.'”
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) relayed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever visits a sick person whose time of death is not imminent and says seven times: ‘I ask Allah, the Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to heal you,’ will be granted healing by Allah, exalted and glorious.”
- Uthman ibn Abi Al-As Al-Thaqafi complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about pain he had endured since embracing Islam. The Prophet instructed him: “Place your hand on the area of pain in your body and say: ‘In the name of Allah,’ three times, and then say seven times: ‘I seek refuge in Allah and His power from the evil of what I feel and fear.'”
This article discusses the various hadiths related to visiting the sick, highlighting the encouragement and virtues of this act, what to say during the visit, the appropriate etiquette, and the recommended supplications for the ill.