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Visiting Patients
The Prophet visited his companions when they were ill, comforting them and praying for their recovery.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) looked after his companions and cared for the weak and vulnerable among them. One situation when care is most welcome is illness. When we are ill, we feel weak and vulnerable. Even if the illness is far from being life-threatening, we begin to think of death. A visit by close friends and relatives is most welcome to a person suffering from illness. The Prophet teaches us that visiting patients is an important act that cements relations within the community and keeps people close together. He was always ready to visit those who were ill, even if they were not Muslims. He would also say what comforted the patient and gave him sound advice. It is clear that visiting patients is a highly recommended Sunnah. The Prophet did not hesitate to visit his companions when they were ill. He would comfort them and pray for their recovery.
Another point to learn is that often a patient would rather not talk about his illness. It is better if his mind is diverted from his condition by turning the conversation to some other topic. The Prophet did everything to reduce the suffering of his companion. He would pour water over a sick person to cool his temperature so that he could regain his consciousness.
Jabir (RA) reports: “When I was ill, the Prophet came to see me together with Abu Bakr in our place in the Bani Salamah quarters, and both of them came walking.” (Related by Al-Bukhari.) We note the particular emphasis Jabir places on how the Prophet came. He mentions that he was in his home, because his clan’s quarters was at a long distance from Madinah, and he mentions that both the Prophet and Abu Bakr walked all this distance just to come and see him in his illness.
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