Introduction
Visiting the Sick (Arabic: ʿiyādah, Turkish: Hastaları Ziyaret) is an incumbent religious duty enjoined by the Prophet Muhammad on his followers. This practice holds a special place in Islamic teachings due to its significant spiritual and social benefits.
Etymology
The term ʿiyādah (عيادة) in Arabic is derived from the root word ʿādah (عاد), meaning “to visit repeatedly” or “to return”. This emphasizes the importance of regular and consistent acts of visiting and showing care for those who are ill.
Islamic Teachings on Visiting the Sick
Prophet Muhammad emphasized the importance of visiting the sick through numerous traditions (Hadiths). Several of these traditions highlight not just the religious but also the moral imperative of this practice:
- Reward from Paradise: “When a Muslim visits a sick brother, he gathers the fruits of Paradise from the time he leaves his home until he returns.”
- Power of Supplication: “If a Muslim visits a sick person and says seven times, ‘I ask the Almighty God, who is Lord of the great throne, to give thee health,’ the prayer shall be granted, unless the appointed time of his death hath surely come.”
- Divine Recognition: “Verily God will say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘O sons of Adam! I was sick and you did not visit me.’ And the sons of Adam will say, ‘O our Defender! how could we visit Thee, for Thou art the Lord of the universe and are free from sickness?’ And God will say, ‘O men! did you not know that such a one of My servants was sick, and you did not visit him? Do you not know that had you visited that servant, you would have met Me there?’ ”
Prophetic Practices
Prophet Muhammad is noted for his compassionate behavior towards the sick:
- Healing Supplications: ʿĀyishah reports, “When any one of us was sick, the Prophet used to rub his hands upon the sick person’s body, after which he would say, ‘O Lord of man! take away this pain and give health; for Thou art the giver of health; there is no health but Thine, that health which leaveth no sickness.’”
- Restorative Actions: “When any person complained of being out of order or having a wound or sore, the Prophet would say, when passing his finger over the part affected, ‘In the name of God, the earth of our ground mixed with the spittle of our mouth; we have done this in order to restore the sick to health, by the permission of our Lord.’ ”
Importance of Visiting the Sick
Spiritual Benefits
- Draws One Closer to God: Visiting the sick is not merely a social duty but a means of drawing closer to Allah, as one emulates Divine compassion.
- Accrual of Good Deeds: Engaging in ʿiyādah garners spiritual reward and is encouraged as a pious act which accumulates God’s favor.
Social and Ethical Benefits
- Community Cohesion: Visiting the sick strengthens communal ties and showcases the importance of mutual care among members of the community.
- Emotional Support: Provides much-needed emotional support to the sick, reinforcing a sense of belonging and concern.
Psychological Benefits
- Interpersonal Connection: Engaging in this practice helps individuals cultivate empathy and understanding, fostering deeper interpersonal connections.
- Positive Impact on Recovery: The emotional and psychological support received through visits can positively impact the recovery process of the sick.
Books for Further Study
- “The Biographies of The Prophets” by Ibn Kathir
- “The Book of Assistance” by Imam al-Haddad
- “Al-Adab al-Mufrad” by Imam al-Bukhari
- “Healing Body & Soul: Your Guide to Holistic Wellbeing Following Islamic Teachings” by Amira Ayad
Takeaways and Conclusion
Visiting the sick (ʿiyādah) in Islam is a practice imbued with profound spiritual, social, and ethical significance. It is a tradition that exemplifies the compassion, care, and community spirit taught by Prophet Muhammad. Performing this duty is not only a means to accrue divine grace but also an essential act that fosters communal harmony and emotional well-being.
By embodying the principles of ʿiyādah, Muslims contribute to a compassionate society that values and supports every individual, particularly during times of distress.
