Is it really possible, in our finite, imperfect human existence to visit the Lord of all the worlds, the Creator of the Universe?
It is possible to visit Allah, the Creator, and in this lifetime, but metaphorically speaking and not in the literal sense. It is He himself who showed us how we can visit Him, not physically, rather in the rewards, high status, praise, and blessings that we can earn from Allah when we visit the sick.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said, “Verily, Allah the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.' He [the man] would say: ‘O my Lord, how could I visit You and You are the Lord of the worlds?' Thereupon Allah would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him you would have found Me with him?'”
Allah is there with the sick, ailing, and suffering. If we visit them and help ease their pain, even by briefly taking their minds off the illness, it is as if we have visited Allah.
It is part of our faith, the right of our friends, relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances, a social obligation, and the mark of a true believer. Visiting the sick was stressed and practiced so clearly by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to show up at their bedside with an optimistic smile, kind words, and warm well-wishes. A text message or an image of a flower bouquet sent by what's app does not suffice. Stepping quietly into the patient's room, looking hopefully into her weary eyes, holding her hand, placing our hand on the ailing body part while making supplication, and just being there – that is the tradition of our Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah until he returns.”
That is another metaphor of the level of spiritual bliss we can attain if we visit the sick, it is as if we are in Paradise, picking and eating fresh fruits from its gardens.
The Prophet's cousin, Ali bin Abi Talib, said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him until dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him until the morning; and he will have reaped fruits in Jannah.”
When anyone in the community in Madinah got sick, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the first to visit him, inquire about his health, show that he cared, and to pray for his recovery.
The Prophet's wife, Aisha, said, “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: O Allah the Lord of mankind. Remove this disease and cure (him or her). You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, a cure which leaves behind no disease.”
Why does Islam emphasize visiting the sick? Why is visiting your sick neighbor considered his right over you, and not merely a kind, voluntary act?
The more I read and learn, the more I am amazed by the centuries-old instructions in our religion that promote human health and well-being.
The Daily Mail paper published a report that states that researchers at Ohio State University found that patients recovering from surgery who had visitors suffered less nerve-related pain, had lower inflammation levels, and recovered quicker.
The report states, “But to be effective it has to be old fashioned ‘social contact' where the friend is there in person. Simply having a friend nearby helps reduce stress which, in turn, allows the body to heal quicker, the tests suggest.”
Did you know that your visit to a sick friend makes changes in the patient's brain that trigger a healing response?
Emotions have a powerful effect on patient's health. Researchers found that in-hospital patients who had a heart attack, and have a close friend, partner, or relative have a 50% reduced chance of having a second heart attack. On the other hand, patients who lack a close companion have a much greater risk of having a second heart attack.
Scientists have discovered a group of brain cells, called mirror neurons. These neurons are activated when we experience an emotion, and also when we watch someone else express their feelings. Once activated in our brains, these neurons can mimic someone else's attitude, as if we become infected by the other person's mood!
During a visit from a loving and cheerful friend or relative, mirror neurons will reflect these emotions and will create similar positive feelings in patients, lifting their spirits and making them feel better.
Hospitals across the United States and Canada are recognizing the health benefits that visitors can bring to sick patients, so they have relaxed some of their strict hospital visitors' regulations.
In 2010, Kingston General Hospital in Canada became one of the first hospitals in Canada to eliminate visiting hours. Since then, 20 other hospitals across the country have followed this trend. KGH has adopted a more family-friendly policy; visitors can see patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in light of the positive influence these visits have on the healing process for patients.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended it and now researchers and hospital administrators are encouraging it too.
There are certain manners and etiquettes to keep into consideration when paying this visit.
· Be soft-spoken and avoid making noise. Keep your mobile phone on silent; loud ringing phones are disturbing to patients. · Keep the visit short, unless the patient needs you to stay longer. · Smile and say hopeful, reassuring words. · Offer to help.
· Make prayers for the sick patient. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say, “I beseech Allah the Great, the Lord of the Great Throne, to heal you.”- this should be repeated seven times. Or you can say to the sick patient, “No worry, it is purification [from sins], if Allah wills.” Terrible traffic, little time, a busy schedule, work and family responsibilities, are not excuses to not visit your sick friend, relative, or neighbor in the hospital.
It was mentioned in Saheeh At-Tirmidhi that when you visit the sick, an angel or a voice calls out to you, “May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you occupy a dignified position in Paradise.”
