Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to visit his ill companions in their homes, and even visited the sick child of a Jewish family in his service. He would pray for the healing of those he visited, consoling them by reminding them of the reward for bearing illness with patience. He advised that those visiting the sick should lift their spirits by telling them they would recover. Visiting the sick is a beautiful way of drawing near to Allah's mercy.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- T2097 Tirmizî, Ferâiz, 7
- HM12823 İbn Hanbel, III, 175
- T2087 Tirmizî, Tıb, 35
- M5709 Müslim, Selâm, 47
- HM12614 İbn Hanbel, III, 156
- MU1731 Muvatta', Ayn, 7
More sunnahs in Social Life
As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.
- Looking After the Neighbor: Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.
- Exchanging Gifts: Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
- Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
- Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
- Forgiveness and Keeping One's Word: Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
- Giving Charity: Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
- Faithfulness to a Trust: Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.
- Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
- Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
- Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.
The Sunnah & Hadith app sends this and other sunnahs as short reminders spread across your day. Free for iPhone, no ads: download on the App Store.