Sickness A Mercy from Allah

Source: everymuslim.co.za

By: Professor Noor Ahmed Noor

Sickness can be very disturbing, but if viewed in the light of the teachings and the practical example of our Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam), then it will become easier to cope with even the agony of pain. Furthermore, if these teachings are practised, our illnesses will become a means for us to earn great rewards in the Aakhirah.

This concise booklet is based on the Urdu book, Maraz bhi Allah ki rahmat he by Professor Noor Ahmad Noor of Pakistan. It provides a better understanding of sickness and explains how every Muslim should view sicknesses and disease in a positive light. It deals briefly with some aspects relating to sickness like glad tidings for the sick; virtues and etiquette for visiting the sick; some Masnoon duas for cure; the salaah of the sick; hope in Allah Ta’ala and ends with a few anecdotes about the last moments of some Awliyaa (Friends) of Allah.

May Allah Ta’ala accept this humble effort of Daaru- Nashril Islaamiyyah who has translated and compiled this booklet into English. Ameen.

Sickness-Compensates for sins
Sickness can be very disturbing, but if viewed in the light of the teachings and the practical example of our Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam), then it will become easier to cope with even the agony of pain. Furthermore, if these teachings are practised, our illnesses will become a means for us to earn great rewards in the Aakhirah.
This concise booklet is based on the Urdu book, Maraz bhi Allah ki rahmat he by Professor Noor Ahmad Noor of Pakistan. It provides a better understanding of sickness and explains how every Muslim should view sicknesses and disease in a positive light. It deals briefly with some aspects relating to sickness like glad tidings for the sick; virtues and etiquette for visiting the sick; some Masnoon duas for cure; the salaah of the sick; hope in Allah Ta’ala and ends with a few anecdotes about the last moments of some Awliyaa (Friends) of Allah.

May Allah Ta’ala accept this humble effort of Daaru- Nashril Islaamiyyah who has translated and compiled this booklet into English. Ameen.

Sickness and other difficulties that we undergo in this worldly life should not only be seen as a misfortune or as an expression of the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala. For those servants of Allah who enjoy a very special relationship with Him, it is a means of great blessing and a mercy. Is there anyone in this world who is free from sins and mistakes?
If every soul were to be fully recompensed for its every action, then apart from the sinless Prophets of Allah, the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus salaam), nobody else would be worthy of entering into Jannah. Man commits minor and major sins all the time, but the difficulties and hardships that he undergoes in this world like illness, grief and sorrow, etc. become the atonement for his sins and in this way he is cleansed of his sins in this very world.

Allah Ta’ala is so relenting and lenient with the Ummah of His beloved Nabi Muhammad (sallalaahu alaihi wasallam) . However, it has been observed that because of a lack of proper Deeni knowledge, very often even when a Muslim becomes ill, many incorrect statements are uttered by the sick person as well as those who treat and take care of him.
To seek a cure for one’s illness and to take treatment for it is certainly not forbidden in Islam. In fact it is a Sun-nah.
There is also no harm if a person complains about pain in the body. However, when a person becomes sick and then complains bitterly and objects to Allah Ta’ala, showing disrespect and ingratitude to Him, this amounts to destroying his own rewards.Whether we are healthy or sick, we should be thankful to Allah Ta’ala in all conditions.
Life and death are in the hands of Allah Ta’ala alone.
A person who is sick should regard his sickness as a gift and a special sign of mercy from Allah. When he realises this, then at every moment he will be thankful to Allah Ta’ala. Furthermore, thosewho take care of the sick, like doctors and nurses, should understand firstly, that the service they are rendering will certainly earn them great sawaab (reward from Allah Ta’ala) and secondly, that they are fulfilling a part of huqooqul ibaad (i.e. the rights of Allah’s creation).
Every Muslim doctor, nurse and sick person should learn what our Beloved Nabi, Muhammad (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said regarding illness and disease. Our Nabi Muhammad (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  has taught us that a person is tested according to the level of Deen present in his life. If he is firm on his Deen then the test is correspondingly severe, and if he is weak on his Deen then the hardship is made easy upon him. (Timizi, Ibn Maajah)

Aa’isha (Radiyalaahu anha) says, ‘I have never seen anybody suffering from sickness as much as Allah’s Messenger (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam).’ (Sahih Bukhari)
Hadrat Aa’isha (Radiyallahu anha) also narrates that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said,’When the sins of a person become so much that his good deeds are unable to wipe them out, then Allah Ta’ala lets grief overcome him in order to forgive his sins.’ (Musnad-Ahmad)

Similarly, Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallaahu anhu)  reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When Allah Ta’ala wishes good for a person, thenhebecomes afflicted with sickness (or hardship).’ (Sahih Bukhaari)

Sickness Compensates for our Sins

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Whenever a Muslim experiences any hardship like sickness (etc.), Allah Ta’ala wipes away his sins just as a tree sheds its leaves during autumn.’ (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Afflictions continuously fall upon the lives, wealth and children of those men and women who have Imaan as a result of which, their sins keep falling off from them until such time that they (die and) meet Allah in the state that none of their sins remain.’ (Tirmiizi, Maalik)
Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has also said, ‘(Sometimes) a very high rank (in Allah’s sight) is decreed for a Mu’min which he could never have attained by virtue of his deeds, so Allah Ta’ala lets him experience some hardship, whether it be physical, material (financial, etc.) or concerning his children. Then, He makes him patient and lets him attain the position decreed for him.’ (Ahmad, Abu Dawood)

Therefore, although it is bitter to bear calamities and misfortunes with patience, we should consider it sweet in view of the great bounty attainable through it. The difficulty and hardship of only a few days will be followed by a life of eternal happiness, Insha-Allah.
Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)said, ‘When a (righteous) person (who dutifully performs his ibaadah) becomes sick, the angels appointed to record his deeds are instructed by Allah Ta’ala: Continue recording in his Book of Deeds those actions which he used to perform when he was healthy, until he either gets better or I call him unto Me.’ (Sharhus Sunnah)
Hadrat Jaabir(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘On the Day of Qiyaamah, when people will be rewarded in compensation for their suffering and difficulties in the world, then those people who had always lived a life of ease and comfort will (regretfully) wish that their skins were cut with scissors in the world.’ (Tirmizi)
Hadrat Aamir(R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a believer falls sick and is then cured by Allah Ta’ala, his sickness atones for his sins and serves as an admonition to him for the future. But when a person who is unmindful of Allah Ta’ala gets ill and then recovers, (he does not take a lesson from it and) Ms example is like that of a camel which was tied by its master and then released by hm, yet it has no idea why it was tied or why it was freed.’ A man then asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is illness? By Allah, I have never been ill in my entire life.’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Go away from here! You are not from amongst us!’ (Abu Dawood)
Hadrat Abu S a’eed Khudri(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a Mu’min experiences any fatigue, disease, sorrow, grief, hurt or distress, even to the extent that if a thorn has to prick him, Allah Ta’ala wipes away some of his sins for that.’ (Sahih Bukhaari)
Firm Faith in the Promises of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)

Hadrat Ataa bin Abi Rabaah(R.A.) relates, “Once Ibn Abbaas said to me, ‘Shall I tell you of a woman from amongst the People of Jannah?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘A certain black lady came to Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said, ‘I get attacks of epilepsy and my body gets uncovered, so please invoke (i.e. make dua to) Allah for me.’Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) told her,.’If you wish, you could be patient and you will enter Jannah; or if you wish, I will make dua to Allah to cure you.’ She replied, ‘I will remain patient,’ and added, ‘but I become uncovered, so please make dua to Allah for me that I do not become uncovered.’ So he made dua for her.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Glad Tidings for the Blind

Hadrat Anas bin Maa (R.A.) reports that he heard Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) saying that Allah Ta’ala said, ‘If I deprive My slave of his two beloved possessions (i.e. his eyes) and he bears it patiently, I will let him enter Jannah in compensation for them. (Sahih Bukhaari)
Headaches – a Characteristic of the People of Imaan

Our beloved Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) suffered very much from severe headaches and migraines. Sometimes, for days on end he would suffer extreme pain and would even deliver the khutbah (sermon) with his head covered in oily bandages.
Once, describing the People of the Fire (Jahannam), Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘They are those who do not suffer from pain in their heads.’ Just then a bedouin entered and he asked him, ‘O Bedouin! Did you ever experience this type of headache?’ He replied, ‘What is a headache?’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘It is the throbbing of veins in the head of a person.’ The man replied, ‘I have never experienced this.’ When the bedouin turned to go away, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Whoever wishes to look at a person from the People of the Fire should look at this Man.’ (Ahmad, Nasa-ee)

Ka’b Ahbaar(R.A.) says, ‘I have found (the following) in the Tauraah: Had it not been for the fear that My believing servants would become aggrieved, I would have sealed the head of a kaafir (disbeliever) with a bandage of steel so that he would never get a headache. ”
Do not curse sickness

Once Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) went to the home of Umm Saa-ib (Radiyallaaha anha) and asked her, ‘What is the matter? Why are you shivering?’ She replied, ‘I have a fever. May Allah not bless it! ‘ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Do not curse fever since it wipes out the sins of the Children of Aadam just as a furnace removes dirt from iron.’ (Sahih Muslim)
Hadrat Abu Moosa(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a person becomes sick or goes on a journey, then those (good) deeds are written down in his favour which he used to perform when he was at home and in good health.’ (Sahih Bukhari)

Cursing Sickness
Do not curse sickness

Once Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) went to the home of Umm Saa-ib (Radiyallaaha anha) and asked her, ‘What is the matter? Why are you shivering?’ She replied, ‘I have a fever. May Allah not bless it! ‘

Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Do not curse fever since it wipes out the sins of the Children of Aadam just as a furnace removes dirt from iron.’ (Sahih Muslim)
Hadrat Abu Moosa(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a person becomes sick or goes on a journey, then those (good) deeds are written down in his favour which he used to perform when he was at home and in good health.’ (Sahih Bukhari)

Dua of a sick person is readily accepted

Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said,’When you visit a sickperson, then tell him to make dua for you, because his duas are (accepted readily) like the duas of the Angels.’ (Ibn Maajah)

Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has also said, ‘The dua of a sick person is not rejected until he recovers from his sickness.’ (Ibn Abiddunyaa)
We should therefore not miss the opportunity to visit the sick and request them to make dua on our behalf.

Virtues and Etiquettes of Visiting the Sick

It is a Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi Muhammad(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) to visit the sick, We should always visit those who are sick because it helps us to reflect and take heed, as those who are ill are close to Allah Ta’ala. We have only to consider that the sick person has no one to call but Allah, nothing to reflect on but Allah, and his condition reminds us of the blessing of health.

Hadrat Abu Moosa(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the one who is imprisoned (unjustly).’ (Sahih Bukhaari)
Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.)  reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, Allah Ta’ala will announce: O son of Aadam, I was sick yet you did not visit me. He will reply, ‘O Allah, how could I have visited You since you are Rabbul ‘aalameen? Allah Ta’ala will say: Did you not know that so and so slave of mine was sick, and yet you did not visit him? Should you have visited him you would have found Me by him. ” (Sahih Muslim)
Hadrat Ali(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’ (Timizi, Abu Dawood)
Hadrat Anas(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a person performs a proper wudhu (observing all its etiquette) and then goes to visit his sick Muslim brother with the intention of gaining sawaab, then he will be kept far away from the Fire of Jahannam by a distance equivalent of Sixty years.’ (Abu Dawood)
Our Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has also said, ‘Whoever visits a sick person (for the pleasure of Allah), a Caller from the skies announces: You are indeed blessed and your walking is blessed and you have (by this noble act) built yourself a home in Jannah.’ (Ibn Maajah)
Hadrat Ibn Abbaas(R.A.) relates: It is part of the Sunnah that when you visit a sick person, you should shorten your visit to him and make the least amount of noise by him. (Mishkaat)

Once our Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘The best type of visit to a sick person is when the visitor gets up to leave without delay.’ (Bayhaqi) If we act upon these simple teachings, then the visitors to a hospital will no longer remain a problem for those who are in charge of the administration of hospitals.
Hadrat Umm Salmah(R.A.) relates that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When you visit a sick person or (go to the home of) someone who has died, then speak only what is good, for the angels say ‘aameen’ to whatever you will say.’ (Sahih Muslim)
Hadrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When you visit a sick person, speak in a reassuring way to him (about his age and his life).’ (For instance, tell him, ‘Alhamdulillah, your health has improved’ or ‘Inshaa Allah you will get better soon.’) Saying this will not delay what is predestined, but it will certainly make him feel happy.'(Tirmizi, Ibn Maajah)

To Blow over a sick person and make Dua for his recovery

Hadrat Aa’isha (Radiyallaahu anha) relates: Whenever anyone of us would become sick, Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  would pass his right hand over the affected part of the sick person’s body and recite the following dua:

Azhubil ba’sa rabban naas washfi. Antash shaafie. Laa shifaa-a illaa shifaa-uk. Shifaa-al laa yughaa diru saqamaa
0 Allah, Lord and Sustainer of mankind, remove his difficulty and cure him You are the only
One who cures. There is no cure but Yours.
Grant such (complete) cure that leaves no trace of illness. (Bukhaari and Muslim)
Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) once visited a Muslim man who was sick. His voice was very feeble and he had become very thin and weak.
Seeing his condition, Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  asked him, ‘What dua have you been making to Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, I used to say: 0 Allah! Whatever punishment was in store for me in the Aakhirah, let it descend upon me now.’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  said, ‘Subhaanallah! You do not have the strength to bear it. Why do you not say this dua:

Rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunyaa hasana taw wafil aakhirati hasana taw wa qinaa azaaban naar
O Allah, our Lord and Sustainer, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter,and save us from the Fire of Jahannam.

The narrator, Hadrat Anas(R.A.), says that the man thereafter began to make this dua (abundantly), and Allah Ta’ala cured him.   (Musnad Ahmad)

Hadrat Salmaan(R.A.) says: Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) visited me when I was ill. When he was leaving he told me, ‘O Salmaan! (and said this dua) :

Ka shafallaahu durrak. Wa ghafara zambak. Wa’aafaaka fee deenika wa jasadik.

May Allah remove your pain, forgive your sins, and grant you strength in your Deen and your health until your death.        (Tabaraani)

Another Hadith has it that whoever visits a sick person, not yet destined to die, and he recites the following dua seven times, Allah Ta’ala will certainly cure him of his sickness:

As-alul laahal azeem Rabbal arshil azeem Ay yashfi yak
I beg Allah the Almighty, the Owner of the Majestic Throne,
that He should cure you. (Abu Dawood)

Hadrat Ibn Abbaas(R.A.) relates that when Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) would visit
any sick person he would say:

Laaba-sa tahoorun, lnshaa Allah
Have no fear ! If Allah wills, your sickness will purify you of your sins.
(Sahih Bukhaari)

Hadrat Usmaan bin abil-Aas(R.A.) says that he once complained about pain in his body to Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam). Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) instructed him: Place your hand on the area of the pain and recite:

Bismillah thrice and say (the following) seven times:
A’oozu bi’izza tillaahi wa qudratihi min sharri maa ajidu wa uhaaziru
I seek protection in the great might of Allah and His power against the evil I am
experiencing and dread. (Sahih Muslim)

Usmaan(R.A.)thereafter says, ‘I did this and Allah removed my pain.’

Our beloved Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has also said, ‘Whoever sees somebody who is sick or in some hardship, and says the following dua will never be afflicted by that sickness or difficulty:

Alhamndulil laahillazee’aafaanee mimmab-talaaka bihee wafad dalanee ‘alaa kaseerim mimman khalaqa tafdeelaa
All praise is for Allah alone Who has saved me from what the has afflicted you with and greatly favoured me over many of whom He has created.
(Tirmizi, Ibn Maajah)

However, it should be recited softly and in a manner that the afflicted person is unable to hear it and does not get offended.

Hadrat Aa’isha (R.A.) says that whenever Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) would become ill, he would recite the Muawwizaat and then blow his breath on the palm of his hands and then move them (gently)over his blessed body.    (Bukhari and Muslim)

She also says that when anyone in his family was sick, he would recite the Mu’awwizaat and blow onto the sick person’s body. (Sahih Muslim).

The Mu’awwizaat are Surahs al-Falaq and an-Naas. According to some Ulama, it also includes the Surahs al-Ikhlaas (Qul huwallahu ahad) and al-Kaafiroon.

Salaah of a Sick Person

Salaah as a Cure

We should also realise that not only is Salaah the most important pillar next to Imaan, but it is also a means of deriving tremendous benefit and blessing in this world and the Aakhirah. It is also a means of drawing the help of Allah Ta’ala and a protection against all types of difficulty. Countless examples of this in the lifetime of our beloved Nabi Muhammad (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and his illustrious Sahaabah (R.A.) bear testimony to this fact.
Hadrat Huzaifah(R.A.) says that whenever Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) happened to face any difficulty, he would at once resort to salaah. (Abu Dawood)
Salaah also has tremendous healing power.

Once Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) saw Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.) lying on his stomach. He said to him, ‘Are you suffering from stomach pain?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Then get up and busy yourself in salaah, for that will heal you.’ (Ibn Katheer)
Hadrat Abdur Rahmaan(R.A.) the husband of Umm Kulsoom (Radiyallaahu anha) was ill. One day he fell into a coma and everyone thought that he had died. Umrn Kulsoom (Radiyallaahu anha) got up from her place and started to perform salaah and by the time she had finished her salaah, Abdur Rahmaan(R.A.) regained consciousness. He asked the people, ‘Did I appear to have died?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He then explained, “Two Angels came to me and ordered me, ‘Come with us into the Court of Allah so that judgement could be made regarding you.’ Just when they began to take me away, another Angel appeared and said to them, ‘Go away, for he is among those in whose destiny good fortune had been written while he was still in the stomach of his mother. His children have yet to benefit some more from him. ” Abdur Rahmaan(R.A.) lived for one more month after this and then passed away.
An Indispensible Key to Success

The heart of every true Muslim is filled with love and admiration for Hadrat Umar bin al-Khattaab(R.A.), the father-in-law of Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and the second Khalifah in Islaam. His name struck terror in the hearts of the mightiest monarchs of his time. During his khilaafah (reign) he issued a proclamation to all the governors and officials under him saying, ‘I regard salaah as the most important duty. A person who guards his salaah is likely to observe other injunctions of Islaam as well; but if he discards his salaah, then the remaining deeds are sure to be found wanting.’ (Mu’atta Malik)
Sayyiduna Umar(R.A.) was stabbed at the close of his career, and this same wound caused his death. He bled profusely and remained unconscious for long intervals. But when he was informed of the time of salaah, he would perform it in that very condition, and say, ‘There is no share in Islam for a person who discards his salaah.’
(Tabaraani)
Sayyidina lbn Abbaas(R.A.) was another great Sahaabi and a cousin of Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam). He suffered from cataract of the eye. A doctor told him, ‘A treatment is possible, provided you are willing to take precaution. For a few days you must avoid performing salaah in the normal way. You can however do so by making gestures.’He said, ‘This cannot be so. I would not say a single rak’ah like that. I have heard Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) saying: A person who intentionally foregoes a single salaah shall have to face Allah’s wrath on the Day of Judgement.’ (Tabarani)

Commenting on this Hadith, Hadrat Shaikhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Khaandalwi (Rahim-muhullah) writes: Although it is quite permissible to perform salaah in the way advised by the doctors and it involves no direct transgression of the Law of Allah, yet due to his utter devotion to salaah and implicit regard for the warning of Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) , Ibn Abbaas (Radiyallaahu anhu) was ready to lose his eyesight rather than allow the slightest modification in the salaah as performed by Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) himself. In fact, the Sahaabah(R.A.) would sacrifice the whole world for their salaah. We may dub it as fanaticism’, or make any other remark about that devoted band, but the verdict in the Hereafter would prove, beyond doubt, that they were the personages who really feared and loved their Creator above everything else in this world.’
Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.) relates that he heard Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) say, ‘Certainly the first among the actions of a person to be reckoned for on the Day of Qiyaamah shall be his salaah. A person will be successful and saved if his salaah was properly discharged (and accepted) and he will fail and be destroyed if his salaah was ruined (and rejected).’ (Tirmizi)

The Salaah of a Sick Person

After Imaan, Salaah is the first of all the pillars of Islaam. It was the first and foremost practice ordained by Allah and shall also be the first thing to be reckoned for on the Day of Qiyaamah. The importance of salaah in the life of a Muslim cannot be over- emphasised. In the Qur’aan Shareef, the command to establish salaah appears about six hundred times. According to the Hadith, whoever establishes salaah has established the Deen (of Allah) and whoever neglects salaah has destroyed the Deen.

“Nowadays it is commonly observed that upon the slightest inconvenience, discomfort or because of a journey, not just one or two, but numerous salaahs are either delayed or discarded.

Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said, ‘Do not delay in three things: salaah when its time has set in, burial when the bier is ready and marriage of a solitary woman when her match is found’ (Tirmizi).
Many people who consider themselves practical Muslims perform a number of their salaahs in combination on returning home, on the very feeble excuses of trade, travel or occupation. To put salaah off till after its set time without a strong excuse like illness, etc. is a major sin.”
Some basic rules about the Salaah of a Sick person

Except under certain circumstances, it is fard (obligatory) to perform every salaah on its fixed time.

If a person is so sick that he cannot even move his head, or he faints for a full day and night or more, then the salaah for such time will be waived. Even when he recovers, it will not be compulsory for him to make up for the missed salaahs.
However, if he faints for less than a full day and night and then regains the strength to move his head, he must make qadhaa of the five or less salaahs missed.
Generally when a person is sick and has the strength to stand, then he should perform salaah standing. If he does not have the courage to stand, or if it is very difficult or painful to stand, or if it is feared that standing might worsen his sickness, he can perform his salaah sitting. When making ruku’ while sitting, the forehead should be lowered upto the knees.
If he has the courage to make salaah sitting but cannot perform ruku’ and sajdah sitting, then the ruku’ and sajdah should be performed by ishaarah (nodding or gesturing with the head). For sajdah, he should bow the head more than for ruku’.
If a person cannot even sit up, then he should lie down with a pillow, etc. behind his back, with his head slightly raised and his legs towards the Qiblah. However if he can, he should not stretch his legs towards the Qiblah but bend his knees and perform his salaah by ishaarah. When making salaah by ishaarah, the head should be bent for saj dah more than for ruku’.
If a person is unable to lie propped against a pillow, then he should lie on his back with his head and chest slightly raised and hisg feet towards the Qiblah. He should support his head with a high pillow so that he faces the Qiblah and does not remain facing towards the sky. Then he should perform his salaah with ishaarah, and the gesture of sajdah should be’a while longer than for ruku’. If he is unable to lie on his back, he should perform salaah lying on his right or his left side, with his face towards the Qiblah,
If it is feared that by using water to make wudhu, or to wash or make istinjaa the sickness might worsen, then he should wipe his body with a cloth and make tayammum. If he cannot make tayammum by himself, then he could take the help of another person.
However, if he does not have the courage to even wipe himself, then he should perform his salaah (before its time expires) after making tayammum only.
If the sick person’s bedding is impure (najis or naapaak) and changing it would cause him much inconvenience, then it will be permissible and correct for him to perform salaah on the same bedding.
If a patient does have has the strength to move slightly, or for instance, he has undergone eye surgery, but the doctor has ordered him not to move his head, then he should perform his salaah lying down.
A paralysed person or someone who is so sick that he cannot use water for istinjaa, should use toilet paper or something similarly absorbent like lumps of dry clay to clean himself. If he cannot do even this, he should perform his salaah without making istinjaa.

Do not wish for Death

Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘No person from amongst you should wish for death. If he is a good-doer, perhaps he might increase his good deeds (if he lives longer). And if he is an evil-doer, he might repent (to Allah and thereby earn His forgiveness and pleasure).’ (Sahih Bukhari)
Hadrat Anas(R.A.) relates that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘None of you should pray and hope for death because of some calamity. If he has to do so, then he should make the following dua instead: O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die when death is better for me.’ (Sahih Bukhari)
Sudden Death

During the time of Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) a person died suddenly. Somebody remarked, ‘How fortunate he was for not having suffered any sickness.’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘But I wish that Allah Ta’ala had afflicted him with sickness and thereby forgiven his sins.’Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) would even seek Allah’s protection from a sudden death.However, sudden death should not be always seen as a misfortune. A person who dies suddenly, for instance, in a motor car accident or gets murdered, etc. gets the reward of a shaheed.
Death in a Foreign Land

Hadrat Abdullah bin Amr(R.A.) relates that a man passed away in Madinah Munawwarah. He was also born there. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  performed his Janaazah salaah and said, ‘How I wish he had died in a place other than where he was born.’ The Sahaabah(R.A.) asked, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) replied, ‘When a person dies (in some distant land) faraway from his birthplace, then the distance between the place of his birth and the place of his death will be measured for him in Jannah.  (Ibn Maajah)
The Ulama have interpreted this Hadith to mean that his grave will be widened for him as far as the distance between the place of his birth and the place where he had died, and a door of Jannah will be opened for him into his grave.

Death from Sickness

Hadrat Abu Hurairah(R.A.) has reported that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Whoever dies from an illness, dies as a shaheed (martyr)” and is saved from the trials in the grave, and he receives his sustenance from Jannah every morning and evening. (Ibn Maajah)
He has also reported that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Instruct those who are dying amongst you to recite: Laa ilaaha illal laah.   (Sahih Muslim)
Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) has also said, ‘Besides the person who gets killed (martyred) in the path of Allah, there are seven other (categories of) martyrs, viz.
one who dies in a plague,
one who dies from stomach illnesses,  one who drowns,
one who gets burnt to death,
one who gets crushed to death ,
a woman who dies during childbirth and
one who dies from pleurisy.’           (Abu Dawood, Nasa-ee)
It is mentioned in a Hadith that if any Muslim recites:

Laa ilaaha illaa anta subhaa naka innee kuntu mi nazzaa limeen

forty times in the state of sickness, then if he recovers, all his sins will be forgiven, but if he dies from it, he will be granted the reward; of a Shaheed (martyr).  (Haakim)

Death brings relief for a Mu’min
Once a janaazah (funeral) passed by Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) . He said, ‘(Here is) someone who is relieved or someone from whom others are relieved.’ The Sahaabah asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who is the one who is relieved or one from whom others are relieved?’ He replied, ‘(When) a Mu’min (dies he) is relieved from the pain and sufferings of the worldl and enjoys the mercy of Allah. But when a persistent sinner dies; people, habitations, trees and animals find relief(in his death).”  (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Hope in the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala

Allah Ta’ala has blessed every Muslim with the priceless gift of Imaan, the key to our success in this world and the Hereafter. Indeed, true Imaan lies between hope in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah, and the fear of His anger.
Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) once visited a young Sahaabi who was breathing his last, and asked him how he was feeling. He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am hopeful of the mercy of Allah, and yet I am afraid of my sins.’ Thereupon Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When the heart of a believer is filled with these two feelings of hope and fear, Almighty Allah fulfils his hope and saves him from what he fears.’ (Ibn Maajah).

The Ulama explain that the fulfilment of expectations promised by Allah in this Hadith is in its most general sense.

It carries assurance not only in respect of Allah’s forgiveness, but also in respect of our duas, health, wealth and safety.

Hadrat Jaabir(R.A.) relates that he heard Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) say, three days before passing away, ‘None of you should die without expecting the best from Allah, the Blessed and Exalted.'(Sahih Muslim)
Hadrat Mu’aaz bin Jabal(R.A.) died of plague, and in the moments of death’s agony, he fainted many times. Whenever he regained consciousness for a moment, he would say, ‘O Allah! You know that I love You. By Your Honour and Glory! You know this very well.’ Just before breathing his last he said, ‘O Death! You are a welcome guest but have come at a time when there is nothing in the house to eat.’ Then he said, ‘O Allah! You know very well that I had always feared You, but today I die hopeful of Your forgiveness. O Allah! I enjoyed life, not in digging canals and planting orchards, but in remaining thirsty in the hot weather, in undergoing hardships for the sake of Islaam, and in participating in gatherings engaged in zikr under the supervision of the Ulama.’ (Tahzeebul Lughaat)
Sayyidina Ibn Abbaas (R.A.) relates that once some people who had committed many murders and involved themselves in adultery excessively, came to Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said, ‘O Muhammad! Whatever you say and invite people to, is very good; but we have committed such serious sins. If we become Muslim, will our repentance be accepted?’Alllah Ta’ala then revealed the verse:

‘Say, 0 My slaves who have wronged themselves (by committing evil deeds and sin.)
Do not despair of the mercy of Allah!’      (Sahih Bukhaari)

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood(R.A.) has described the above aayah as the most hope-inspiring verse of the Qur’aan Shareef.’ (Tabaraani)
Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattaab(R.A.) says: Once some prisoners of war were brought before Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam)  Amongst them was a woman running anxiously here and there in search of her missing child. When she had found it, she hugged it and began to breastfeed it.

Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked his Companions, ‘Could you imagine that this woman will ever throw her child into the fire?’ We said, ‘By Allah! Never.’ He said, ‘Allah is more Merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’   (Bukhaari and Muslim)
Our Merciful Allah is certainly willing and waiting to forgive us, provided that we make sincere tawbah for our sins before we die, even if they be kufr or shirk. Therefore, nobody should ever lose ‘hope in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala.

Last Moments of some Auliyaa

Death on Imaan, the Ultimate Success

Hadrat Mu’aaz bin Jabal(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘The person whose last words (in this world) are Laa ilaaha ilial laah shall enter Jannah.’ (Abu Dawood)
This means that he will be saved from being punished for his sins by virtue of this kalimah, and that his sins will not be an obstacle to him entering Jannah, Insha-Allah.

Last moments of some Awliyaa (Friends) of Allah Ta’ala

A special trait of the beloved friends of Allah is that they constantly remember death and the life of the Aakhirah, and prepare for it by performing virtuous deeds. When death comes to them, they receive it like someone receiving a gift, as is mentioned in a Hadith: Death is a gift to a Mu’min. (Bayhaqi)

Another Hadith says that the Angel of death, lzraa’eel (Alayhis saaarn) visits people during the hours of salaah, notices them and keeps track of them. When the hour of death comes for anyone who had been particular about the timely performance of salaah, lzraa’eel (Alayhis salaam) prompts him to recite the kalimah and drives the shaitaan away from him.

On a Monday morning, Imaam Ghazaali (R.A.) who is famous for his book, lhyaa, made wudhu and performed his Fajr salaah. Then he called for his shroud, kissed it and put it to his eyes. After this he said, ‘With pleasure do I appear before the King of kings.’ Saying this, he lay full length on his back, faced the Qiblah and passed away into the infinite mercy of Allah Ta’ala.

Amrbin Ubaid (Rahim-mullah) says: When Sheikh Abu Shu’aib Saalih bin Ziyaad (Rahim-mullah) took ill, I visited him and saw that he was in bed and in the throes of death. He said to me, ‘Happy news! I just saw a stranger with odd looks, and when I asked him who he was, he replied that he was the Angel of Death. I asked him to treat me gently, and he replied that he had been commanded to treat me so.’

When the time drew near for Hadrat S a’d bin Abi Waqqaas(R.A.) to depart from this world, he said to the people around him, ‘Bring me my woollen cloak.’ When it was brought, he saw that it was old and wom out. Hadrat Sa’d(R.A.) said, ‘When I die, shroud me in this cloak, for I was wearing it in the Battle of B adr.’

When the hour of death drew near for Sayyidina Bilaal(R.A.) his wife cried, ‘Alas! Alas! You are departing.’ But Bilaal(R.A.) said, ‘What a pleasure to die, for tomorrow we shall meet our beloved ones; Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and his Companions!’
When the last hour came for the great Scholar of Hadith, Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubaarak(R.A.) was smiling and said:

For the like of this, let the doers (of’good) strive. (Qur’aan 37:61)

(He must have glimpsed some of the bounties and joys of Jannah). It is also reported that when he was at the point of death, he said to his servant Nasr, ‘Lay my head on the ground.’ The servant began to cry. The Shaikh asked him, ‘What makes you cry?’ He replied, ‘It grieves me because you lived in comfort but today you are dying like a beggar, with your head on the ground!’ Hadrat Abdullah said, ‘Say no more! For I had made dua to Allah to let me live as a rich man and cause me to die like the poor.’

When Hadrat Shaikh Junaid Baghdaadi (R.A.) was at the point of death, someone recited to him the kalimah Laa ilaaha illal laah. He said, ‘I have never been forgetful of this kalimah, so I certainly do not need to be reminded of it at this hour!’ Jariri (Rahimahullah), another pious person, was present when Shaikh Junaid was in the throes of death and saw that he was reciting aayaat  from the Qur’aan. Someone said to him, ‘(You are so weak now!) Is this the time to recite the Qur’aan?’ The Shaikh replied, ‘What time can be better for recitation of the Qur’aan than this hour, when my Book of Deeds is about to be closed? (I would like its last entry to be the aayaat of the Qur’aan Shareef).’

How fortunate indeed were these pious people who experienced death in such circumstances! May Allah Ta’ala, out of His infinite grace and mercy, grant us sound health, bless us all with His pleasure, and make the day we meet Him the happiest occasion in our lives., Aameen.