All tests require some kind of mental or physical striving, but none more so than those involving our health. Allah may test our faith by afflicting either close loved ones or ourselves with varying degrees of physical or mental sickness. Illness may be as mild as the common cold or as severe as paralysis, and while some illnesses may be within our control, through the use of drug treatment and therapy, others may not be so manageable. Whatever the condition may be, ill health has both advantages and disadvantages.
The disadvantage of ill health is the reduction or loss of potential rewards from performing acts of worship and doing good deeds, due to mental or physical restraints. This is why Allah warns us to make more of an effort in our Deen while we are still capable, before we are overcome by sickness or death.
Death severs all rewards (except recurring charity, knowledge that continues to benefit people or a pious child to invoke Allah on our behalf, as these acts will continue to earn rewards even after our death [51. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]). We are advised to adopt the following attitude to help motivate us more in our Islamic practice:
If you survive until the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive until the morning do not expect to be alive in the evening, and during health prepare for illness and while you are alive prepare for your death. [52. Narrated by Ibn Umar.: Go (Bukhari)]
Although illness and disease are difficult tests to endure, they do have their advantages. Sickness is a spiritual mercy and blessing from Allah, through which we can earn His rewards and expiate our sins.
With whosoever the Lord desires to be kind and merciful, He subjects him to pains and troubles. [53. Narrated by Abu Huraira.: Go (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
You will have a double reward for being sick, and your sins will be annulled as the leaves of a tree fall down. [ 54. Narrated by Ibn Mas’ud. Go (Agreed Upon), 55. Narrated by Abdullah. Go (Bukhari)]
No pain or sorrow or trouble comes upon a believer - not even a thorn pricks him - but his sins are pardoned. [56. Narrated by Ai’sha’s.: Go (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
We should always try to visit fellow brothers/sisters in Islam when they are ill, as there are many rewards to be earned by this act of kindness.
If we visit a fellow Muslim in the morning, seventy thousand angels will invoke blessings on us until the evening. If we visit them in the evening, seventy thousand angels will invoke blessings on us until the morning and an orchard of fruit trees will be allotted for us in Paradise. [57. Narrated by Ali (At-Tirmidhi)] This illustrates how rewarding sickness can be, both to the one who is afflicted and the visitor. Allah is closer to us during sickness than in times of good health, and our prayers at this time are compared to the prayers of angels. We should, therefore, make many supplications during sickness, not only for ourselves, but also for other people, as Allah will always respond to the prayers of those who are ill.
When you visit a sick person, ask him to pray for you since a sick person's prayers are like that of angels [58. Narrated by Umar bin al-Khattab (Ibn Majah)]
Although euthanasia (mercy killing) is still a controversial issue, it is becoming more widely practiced to remove the pain and suffering of the terminally ill. However, in Islam it is strictly forbidden. Illness is a test from Allah for both the afflicted (sick person) and the non-afflicted (family or careers). The test during illness is to endure the pain with patience and to accept the Qadr (destiny /Divine Will) of Allah. Only Allah has the Power to give life and take it away. We should rest assured that the pain will eventually ease and relief will soon follow, whether through recovery, remission or natural death. It is reassuring to note that illness is non -existent in Paradise and the inhabitants will enjoy good health forever. [59. Surah Al-A'raf 7:43. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
The disadvantage of ill health is the reduction or loss of potential rewards from performing acts of worship and doing good deeds, due to mental or physical restraints. This is why Allah warns us to make more of an effort in our Deen while we are still capable, before we are overcome by sickness or death.
Death severs all rewards (except recurring charity, knowledge that continues to benefit people or a pious child to invoke Allah on our behalf, as these acts will continue to earn rewards even after our death [51. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]). We are advised to adopt the following attitude to help motivate us more in our Islamic practice:
If you survive until the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive until the morning do not expect to be alive in the evening, and during health prepare for illness and while you are alive prepare for your death. [52. Narrated by Ibn Umar.: Go (Bukhari)]
Although illness and disease are difficult tests to endure, they do have their advantages. Sickness is a spiritual mercy and blessing from Allah, through which we can earn His rewards and expiate our sins.
With whosoever the Lord desires to be kind and merciful, He subjects him to pains and troubles. [53. Narrated by Abu Huraira.: Go (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
You will have a double reward for being sick, and your sins will be annulled as the leaves of a tree fall down. [ 54. Narrated by Ibn Mas’ud. Go (Agreed Upon), 55. Narrated by Abdullah. Go (Bukhari)]
No pain or sorrow or trouble comes upon a believer - not even a thorn pricks him - but his sins are pardoned. [56. Narrated by Ai’sha’s.: Go (Muwatta Imam Malik)]
We should always try to visit fellow brothers/sisters in Islam when they are ill, as there are many rewards to be earned by this act of kindness.
If we visit a fellow Muslim in the morning, seventy thousand angels will invoke blessings on us until the evening. If we visit them in the evening, seventy thousand angels will invoke blessings on us until the morning and an orchard of fruit trees will be allotted for us in Paradise. [57. Narrated by Ali (At-Tirmidhi)] This illustrates how rewarding sickness can be, both to the one who is afflicted and the visitor. Allah is closer to us during sickness than in times of good health, and our prayers at this time are compared to the prayers of angels. We should, therefore, make many supplications during sickness, not only for ourselves, but also for other people, as Allah will always respond to the prayers of those who are ill.
When you visit a sick person, ask him to pray for you since a sick person's prayers are like that of angels [58. Narrated by Umar bin al-Khattab (Ibn Majah)]
Although euthanasia (mercy killing) is still a controversial issue, it is becoming more widely practiced to remove the pain and suffering of the terminally ill. However, in Islam it is strictly forbidden. Illness is a test from Allah for both the afflicted (sick person) and the non-afflicted (family or careers). The test during illness is to endure the pain with patience and to accept the Qadr (destiny /Divine Will) of Allah. Only Allah has the Power to give life and take it away. We should rest assured that the pain will eventually ease and relief will soon follow, whether through recovery, remission or natural death. It is reassuring to note that illness is non -existent in Paradise and the inhabitants will enjoy good health forever. [59. Surah Al-A'raf 7:43. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
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