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Visiting the sick
Visiting a sick person is very merritorious and carries great reward in Islam. However, it should be done in the correct way bearing in mind the correct etiquettes.
Story 1
A deaf person went to visit his sick friend. The sick man saw him and became more depressed. He thought to himself: "He will speak his heart out but will not be able to listen to a word I say." The following interesting discussion then followed:
The deaf man : "How are you feeling?"
The sick man : "I am dying!"
The deaf man : "Alhamdulillah!" (Thinking that he had said that he was feeling better). "What medicine are you currently using?"
The sick man : "Poison!"
The deaf man : "May Allah Ta'ala cause the medicine to be effective." (Thinking that he had heard the name of some useful medication) "Which doctor is seeing to you?"
The sick man : "Malikul Mawt (The angel of death)!"
The deaf man : "May Allah Ta'ala bless his footsteps. He is truly a good doctor." (1)
Lesson
Only those people should visit a sick person who can make him feel better. Such people should not visit who would put the sick person in more worries and problems. It is part of the teachings of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam that when visiting the sick one should be positive and give the sick person hope. One should say such words of comfort to him that will elevate his spirits. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said : "When you visit a sick person, give him hope for a long life. This will not change anything but it will make the sick person feel happy." (Ibn Maajah)
Story 2
Once a few people went to visit the pious saint Sirri Saqti Rahimahullah. He was suffering from severe stomach pain. They sat for a very long time causing him considerable inconvenience. Finally, they asked him to make dua for them. He replied: "O Allah, teach these people the correct etiquette of visiting the sick."
Story 3
Once a person went to visit a sick person and sat for a very long time. This placed the sick person in difficulty. When the sick person realized that the visitor refused to leave he said : "People coming and going have caused me discomfort."
Still the visitor did not get the message and asked : "Should I close the door?"
The sick person replied : "Yes please. From the outside!" (2)
Lesson
One should not visit a sick person for too long as this can cause difficulty to him. Only if one is completely sure that the sick person will be happy with an extended stay, should one remain longer.
References
1. Hazrat Thaanwi ke pasandeeda waaqiaat
2. Mirqaatul Mafateeh
3. Taraashe of Mufti Taqi Uthmaani
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"One morning or evening in the path of Allah is better than the world and all it contains. A hand-span or a whip's length of Jannat is better that the world and all it contains..."Sayings of Nabi(SAW)
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