My wife has been suffering from a chronic disease for seven years now. All the members of our family were deeply saddened by her illness. Much to my surprise, a few days ago, I found that the same disease was transmitted to me. So, I decided not to tell anyone in order not to make the matter worse. What is the religious opinion concerning this matter? Please advise.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If telling your family about your illness will disturb them, then it is better not to tell them as long as concealing this will not cause you or them any harm. Additionally, you have to know that the worldly life is full of trials and afflictions. No one can be safe from them. However, the more trials you suffer from, the more rewards you will receive. Moreover, if you show patience with your difficulty, Allaah The Almighty Will Forgive you your sins. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “No disease, pain, or grief befalls a Muslim, not even the distress that afflicts him, but Allaah Will Expiate some of his sins thereby.” [Ahmad] [Shu‘ayb Al-Arnaa’oot: Saheeh by virtue of corroborating narrations]

Furthermore, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that this illness only occurred to you according to the Decree of Allaah The Almighty. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We Bring it into being - indeed that, for Allaah, is easy.}[Quran 57:22]

• {And when Allaah Intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.}[Quran 13:11]

•  {Say, "Who is it that can protect you from Allaah if He Intends for you an ill or intends for you a mercy?" And they will not find for themselves besides Allaah any protector or any helper.}[Quran 33:17]

The issue of contagion is just a means that cannot cause infection by itself in any way but only by the Permission of Allaah The Almighty. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is no contagion (without the Permission of Allaah), and no belief in evil omens.” [At-Tabraani: Al-Awsat] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah]

Finally, you have to beware not to tell your wife that Allaah The Almighty Made her a cause for your illness for this may hurt her, and this may imply an improper attitude with the Decrees of Allaah The Almighty. In addition, this will be a kind of bad treatment to your wife.