Ways we can cope with our own illness-I

26/09/2016| IslamWeb

Always keep in mind that trials are inevitable and people deal with trials in a variety of ways. Allah Says (what means):  “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.' Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” [Quran 2:155-157]

Commenting on this verse, Ash-Sharabasi  said: “You all are going to be tried with some kind of these trials. But you will be different in your attitude and responsibility towards these trials.” Some people have patience and others have none. Some recover and others do not. Trials teach all of us, but only one group is deserving of the reward. “And give good tidings to the patient.” This suggests that since man must be subjected to trials, and since he is going to be afflicted by one form of a trial or another, it is then better for him not to become anxious. Man is going to be tried whether he accepts this fact or not. Since he is going to receive a reward for the trial if he is patient, it is then better for him to be considered from this good group “And give good tidings to the patient.”

Don’t become pessimistic:

Don’t shut your eyes only seeing the darkness of grief and worry. It will lead you into depression and isolation waiting for death to arrive, and that is a bleak existence for anyone, especially for someone who is faced with illness. Try not to allow grief and sadness overcome your heart or over burden your mind. Don’t give an opportunity for the devil to whisper to you and try to cause you mental distress that will only add to your pain and suffering. Al-Sa’adee said: “Don’t you know that weakness of the heart and its delusions are truly the incurable illness?”

 

The strength of the heart and its reliance upon Allah are the examples of strong men. How many hospitals are filled with patients suffering from delusions and paranoia? These delusions and anxieties affect even healthy people and will sometimes cause madness and mental problems.

 

Therefore, the health of the heart is the basis for the health of the body, and the disease of the heart is the true disease. Man may go through psychological instability where he finds the world a narrow place of distress. But, if the sick allow these thoughts to control their mind, it will add to their distress and their wish for death — possibly to the extent of contemplating suicide.

 

One may wish to die because of pressure and pain, but we must realize that an early end results in punishment within the grave. So, by living they are afforded more time to repent and turn back towards Allah, and that is surely better. The Prophet said: “No one among you should wish to die because of distress. But if he must do so, then he should say, ‘O Allah give me life as long as life is better for me, and cause me to die as long as death is better for me’." [Al-Bukhari]

 

Look within yourself for the cause of your illness and treat it with lawful medical treatments. Don’t ignore your illness - seek medical attention right away. Doctors have only been able to make as many strides in medicine thus far because Allah has allowed them to do so. Every disease has a cure except death. Try to search out and find a righteous Muslim physician if possible.

 

You should question yourself and be fair, do not deceive yourself:   

If you are afflicted with a distress hardship, look first for the reasons and reprimand yourself.  Allah Says (what means): “What comes to you of good is from Allah, what comes to you of evil (O Man) is from yourself…” [Quran 4: 79] And “And whatever strikes you of disaster, it is what your hands have earned.” [Quran 42: 30]

When you are grieving and don’t know the reason behind it, then do no let grief find a way into your heart. Learn that Allah decrees everything and nothing that strikes you should have missed you; and nothing that has missed you, should have struck you. Beware of saying anything that may indicate irritation and dissatisfaction with Allah’s Decree, such as saying: "O Lord, why have you afflicted me with this?”