Human beings naturally love those who are kind to them and show their concern about them, and this type of love increases in moments of human weakness, like when a person is bedridden and diseases afflict and exhaust him. In this situation, visiting has a far-reaching effect and a deep impact that has its source in the compassion and condolences that the visitor gives to the sick. It also strengthens the relationship between the two.
The Prophet, , cared about visiting the sick and checking on their condition. He even made it a duty upon Muslims that the Sharee‘ah necessitates and guarantees. In a Hadeeth which was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, , said: “A Muslim has five rights over his brother,” of which is: “Visiting the sick.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet, , endeavored to encourage this principle in the hearts of his Companions by describing the great merits that a Muslim gains when he visits his sick brother. For example, the Prophet, , said: “If a person goes to visit his sick brother, he will be walking through the paths of Paradise until he sits down. When he sits down, mercy encompasses him. If he visits him in the morning, 70 thousand angels continue praying for him until the evening. If he visits him in the evening, 70 thousand angels continue praying for him until the morning.” [Ibn Maajah] The Prophet, , also said: “When a person visits a sick person, or visits his brother [in Islam] for the sake of Allah, an announcer [angel] calls out: ‘May you be blessed, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Paradise!’” [At-Tirmithi] He also said: “If a Muslim visits a sick person who is not about to die and says seven times, ‘As'alullaaha al-‘atheema rabba al‘arshil-‘atheemi 'an yashfyak. [I ask Allah The Great, Lord of the Great Throne to cure you]’ the sick person will certainly be cured." [At-Tirmithi]
There are many narrations that confirm that the Prophet, , would visit the sick. He would check on the condition of his Companions, ask about them, assure them of recovery by the will of Allah, and look after them. Among these Companions were Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas, Zayd ibn Al-'Arqam and Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with them.
Not only did the Prophet, , visit his Companions, who believed in him, but he also visited non-Muslims in the hope that they would be guided. One day the Prophet, , did so with a Jewish boy who was a servant of his. The boy had become very sick and the Prophet, , continued visiting and looking after him. When the boy was about to die, the Prophet, , visited him, sat beside his head and called him to Islam. The boy looked at his father as if consulting him. His father said to him: “Obey Abu’l-Qaasim,” so the boy embraced Islam and then died. The Prophet, , left and said: “Praise be to Allah who saved him from Hell.” [Al-Bukhari]
The biography the Prophet, , demonstrates his guidance in visiting the sick. Whenever the Prophet, , heard that a person had fallen sick, he would hasten to visit him, support him, fulfill his needs and wishes, and supplicate to Allah The Almighty to grant him recovery and forgive his sins if he was a Muslim, or to call him to Islam if he was not. One of his supplications is mentioned in the Hadeeth narrated on the authority of ‘Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said, “Whenever the Prophet visited a sick person, he would say: Athhibil-baas Rabba an-naas, ishfi wa anta ash-shaafi laashifaa'a illa shifaa'uk shifaa'an layughaadiru saqaman [Remove this disease, O Lord of the people, and cure, for you are the Curer. There is no cure but Yours. (Cure him in a way) that leaves no illness.]’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
If the sick person needed Ruqyah (invocations), the Prophet, , would immediately give it to him. ‘Aa'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that the Prophet, , would say to the sick person: “Bismil-laahi, turbatu ardhina, bireeqati ba‘dhina, yushfa saqeemuna, bi 'ithni Rabbina [In the name of Allah, the dust of our ground mixed with the saliva of some of us will cure the patient, with the Permission of our Lord].” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In some cases, the Prophet, , poured some of the blessed water of his ablution over the sick who would be cured by the permission of Allah The Almighty. He did so with Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him.
There are some sayings that the Prophet, , would say to relieve the sick. He reminded them of the reward that afflicted people attain in order to alleviate their suffering. He also taught them patience and to seek reward from Allah The Exalted. The following are some of these sayings of the Prophet, , in this regard:
• “A calamity remains with a person and does not leave him until he walks on the earth sin-free.” [Ibn Maajah]
• “When Allah The Almighty afflicts a slave with a calamity in his body, He Says to an angel, ‘Record the righteous deeds that he would do [while he was sound].’ If Allah cures him, He will wash and purify him from his sins; if He takes his soul, He will forgive him and have mercy upon him.” [Ahmad]
When the Prophet, , visited Umm As-Saa'ib, may Allah be pleased with her, and heard her cursing her fever, he said to her: “Do not curse fever; it wipes out the sins of the sons of Aadam as a furnace removes the dirt of iron.” [Muslim] The Prophet, , also instructed us to seek treatment using different kinds of medication that he knew. He encouraged cupping, putting cold water on the fevered, eating honey, using black seed (nigella sativa) and other lawful medicines, which are all included in his saying: “O slaves of Allah! Seek treatment, for Allah created a remedy for every malady." [At-Tirmithi]
The Prophet, , did not overlook reminders and giving advice that suits the situation. On one occasion he reminded people of the right that relatives have to inheritance, and forbade making a will for more than one-third of one’s property. He did this with Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allah be pleased with him. On another occasion he stressed the importance of combining fear and hope on the deathbed, he did so with a Companion who was dying. A third time he forbade wishing for death and emphasized the necessity of the preparation to meet Allah The Almighty. This was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him.
Thus, the Prophet, , set the best example of the importance of attracting people's hearts and taking advantage of different situations to call and guide people. Perhaps hearts that are locked will thereby become open to guidance and the truth.