Hadiths on Affliction through Illness
Numerous hadiths in the Sunnah encourage Muslims to exercise patience during trials and highlight the immense rewards that await those who endure hardships. Below are some of these hadiths:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah said: When I afflict My servant with the loss of his two beloveds, and he remains patient, I will compensate him with Paradise.” (Referring to his two eyes).
- It was reported by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that he visited the Prophet (peace be upon him) while he was unwell. He placed his hand on him and felt his fever beneath the blanket. Abu Sa’id exclaimed: “O Messenger of Allah, how severe is your illness!” The Prophet replied: “Just like this, our afflictions are intensified, and so are our rewards.” Abu Sa’id then asked, “Which people experience the most severe trials?” The Prophet said: “The Prophets are the most tested.” Abu Sa’id further inquired, “Then who?” The Prophet replied: “Then the righteous. One of them might be afflicted with poverty until he only possesses a single cloak, and if any of them were to receive a trial, they would rejoice in that trial as one rejoices in ease.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “When a servant has a position with Allah that he has not yet attained through his deeds, Allah afflicts him in his body, wealth, or children, and then He ensures that he remains patient until he reaches the position that was destined for him.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever sees an afflicted person and says: ‘Praise be to Allah who has spared me from what has afflicted you and has favored me over many of His creation,’ will not be struck by that affliction.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “When a servant falls ill, Allah instructs His angels: I have bound My servant with one of My bindings. If I take his life, forgive him, and if I restore him to health, he will remain free of sin.”
Hadiths on Patience in the Face of Illness
The Sunnah includes several hadiths that emphasize the importance of patience during illness. Some of these are as follows:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No affliction befalls a Muslim except that Allah expiates some of his sins, even if it is the prick of a thorn.”
- It was narrated by ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: “Should I show you a woman from the people of Paradise?” He replied, “Certainly.” Ibn ‘Abbas continued, “This black woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: ‘I suffer from seizures and I become exposed. Please pray to Allah for me.’ The Prophet asked, ‘If you wish, be patient and you will have Paradise; if you wish, I can pray for your healing.’ She replied, ‘I will be patient, but please pray that I am not exposed.’ So he prayed for her.”
- Um Al-‘Ala (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) visited me while I was ill and said: ‘Rejoice, Um Al-‘Ala, for the sickness of a Muslim removes his sins, just as the fire purifies gold and silver.’”
Hadiths Regarding the Illness of the Trustworthy Prophet
The Sunnah contains narrations that describe the illness of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him); some of these are as follows:
- Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I visited the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during a severe illness. I touched him with my hand and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you are indeed experiencing a severe affliction!’ He replied: ‘Yes, I am suffering as two of you suffer.’ I then asked: ‘Is it because you have two rewards?’ He affirmed: ‘Indeed.’ He also said: ‘No Muslim suffers any harm, whether sickness or otherwise, except that Allah removes some of his sins, just as a tree sheds its leaves.’”
- ‘Aisha, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), said: “Whenever one of the family fell ill, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would recite the Mu’awwidhat (the protective chapters) over them. When he himself fell ill with the ailment that resulted in his death, I would recite them over him and wipe his body with my hand, for it was more blessed than my hands.”