Message From the Imam: Etiquettes of Visiting the Sick
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has taught us that: "The rights of a Muslim upon his fellow Muslim are: that he answers his salutation, or Salaam, when he is saluted, he visits him when he is sick, he follows his funeral when he dies, he accepts his invitation (to food) when he invites him, and he says the relevant corresponding supplications when he sneezes." (Bukhaari & Muslim).
One who visits the sick enjoys the fruits of Paradise until he returns home. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "The Muslim will continue to be in the Khurfa of Paradise until he comes returns (home)." So somebody asked him: "O Messenger of Allaah! What is the Khurfa of Paradise?" He replied: "They are gardens of fruits." (Muslim).
It is from the etiquettes of visiting the sick to rush to visit him as soon as he becomes sick, as it is understood from this saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
However, there are Ahaadeeth that state that one should visit the sick after three days of sickness, as it is reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) did not visit the sick until three days had passed. (Ibn Maajah & Bayhaqi)
Therefore, if the illness is serious or dangerous in nature, such that one fears the loss of life of the sick person, and it is known that he will not be harmed or bothered by being visited immediately, then the visit can take place immediately. But if the sickness is a light one, then the visit should take place after three days.
It is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that the duration of visiting the sick should be short, especially if the patient is weak or if there are too many visitors, or if the place where he is resting is small. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Make your visits short, people will love you more."(Al-Haakim).
The best gift for the sick is that one supplicates for him upon entering upon him, and not that one secretly provides him with things that have been forbidden by the doctors, like certain foods or drinks, especially if they are Haraam, such as cigarettes.
Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever visits a sick person whose death is not approaching, and says seven times: 'I ask Allaah the Exalted, the Lord of the Great Throne, to heal you.' Then Allaah will heal him. (Al-Haakim).
Another of the greatest gifts that one can give to the sick is the advice of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as reported by 'Uthmaan Ibn Abi Al-'Aas, may Allaah be pleased with him,that he came to the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) complaining about pain in his body, so he (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) advised him to: "Place your hand where it hurts on your body and say, 'Bismillaah' three times, then say seven times, 'I seek refuge in Allaah and in His power from the evil of what I find and of what I guard against.'" (Muslim)
It reflects fine manners and love for the sick when one asks his family about his condition. When 'Ali ibn Abu Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, came out from the room of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) at the time of his sickness, and people asked him about the condition of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), he replied: "By the will of Allaah, he will be better by morning."
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Allaah will say on the Day of Judgment (to a person): 'O son of Aadam! I was sick and you did not visit Me!' So the person will reply: 'O my Lord! How could I have visited You, while You are the Lord of the worlds?' So He will say: 'Did you not know that My servant, so and so, was sick, yet you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me with him?'"(Muslim).
It is also recommended that the visitor sits beside the head of the sick person, and that he makes encouraging remarks, giving him hope of speedy recovery and prolonged life. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "If you visit a sick person, then try to put him at ease by giving him hope (of prolonged life), for it does not change anything, but relaxes (and comforts) him." (Ibn Maajah & Tirmithi).
It should be said to the sick person: "Do not worry. It ( the sickness) will be a purification (for you), Allaah willing." (Bukhaari).
Also, one should ask the sick person to supplicate for him, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "If you enter upon a sick person, then ask him to supplicate for you, for his supplication is like the supplications of the angels." (Ibn Maajah).
It is commendable to remind him of the phrase: 'Laa illaaha illa Allaah' ( there is nothing worthy of worship except Allaah) if he is on his death bed, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Have the one facing death repeat after you 'Laa Ilaaha illa Allaah', at the moments of death." (Muslim). He also said: "He whose last words before death are 'Laa Ilaaha illa Allaah', Allaah will grant him paradise." (Abu Daawood). Wallahu A’alam.