THE PROPHET (P) VISITED THE SICK AMONG NON-MUSLIMS

1. The Prophet (p) visited a sick Jewish boy

A young Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (p) fell ill. The Prophet (p) visited him, and sat near his head. As he was about to pass away, the Prophet (p) asked him to embrace Islam. The boy looked at his father, who was also sitting there. The father nodded approvingly and told him to obey Abul-Qasim[1] (the Prophet (p)); the boy embraced Islam, after which he passed away.[2]

• The Prophet (p) visited a sick polytheist

It was narrated by Sa’id bin Al-Musayyib[3]from his father that “When Abu Talib was on his deathbed, the Prophet visited him…”[4]

Supporting Texts

“As for such (of the unbelievers) who do not fight against you on account of (your) faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity: for verily, God loves those who act equitably.” (Qur’an 60:8)

Thauban, the freed slave of Prophet Muhammad (p) reported that the Prophet (p) said, “He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.”[5]

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (p) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or better keep silent; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbour with kindness and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.”[6]

The companion Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (p) said, “Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and (arrange for the) release of captives.”[7]

The Prophet Muhammad (p) also said, “Whoever believes in Allah and in the Hereafter should take care of his neighbour,”[8] and “Jibril continued to remind me of the neighbour’s rights till I thought he would tell me that the neighbour inherits from his neighbour.”[9]

Comments

Al-Marwazi said: “It has reached me that Abu Abdullah (Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal) was asked about a man who had close relatives who were Christians, and if he should visit them when they are ill. He replied: Yes (he should).”[10] Furthermore, according to Imam Badr al-Din al-‘Ayni, one of the lessons of this hadith is the permissibility of visiting Ahl al-dhimmah (non-Muslim citizens) especially if they are one’s neighbours. This will show them the beauty of Islam and strengthen the bond between them and Muslims.[11]

Implications and Lessons

That the Prophet (p) despite his position as Head of State still found time to visit a sick youth highlights his humility. Similarly, his practice of visiting sick people, irrespective of their faith, is part of the goodness to everyone that Islam preaches. This is contrary to the position held by some that Muslims should only show kindness to fellow Muslims.

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[1] Abu al-Qasim is one of the nicknames of the Prophet (p) meaning ‘The father of Qasim’ as the Prophet had a son named Qasim.

[2] Al-Bukhari, al-Adab al-Mufrad, (ed. Muhammad Fu’ad Abd al-Baqi), Dar al-Bashair al-Islamiyyah, Beirut, 1989, hadith no.524; Al-Baihaqi, Sunan al-Kubrah, Maktabah Dar al-Baz, Makkah, hadith no.6389; Abu Dawud, Sunan Abu Dawud, hadith no.3095 and 3097; Ibn Hiban, Sahih Ibn Hibban, (ed. Shu’aib al-Arna), 2^nd edition, Mu’assasah al-Risalah, Beirut, 1993, hadith no.4884; Al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no.1356; Ahmad bn Hanbal, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad bn Hanbal, hadith no.13375.

[3] Also referred to by some as Sa’id bin Al-Musayyab.

[4]Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 7, Book 70, no. 561.

[5]Sahih Muslim, hadith no.1171 and 6716; Musnad Imam Ahmad, hadith no.22404.

[6]Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no.6018, Sahih Muslim, hadith no.182, Musnad Imam Ahmad, hadith no.9967, Sunan Abu Dawud, hadith no.5156.

[7]Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 7, hadith no.897.

[8]Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.8, hadith no.29 in Alim 6.0.

[9]Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.8, hadith no.27; See also hadith no.28, in Alim 6.0.

[10] Muhammad bin Abu Bakr bin Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Ahkam ahl al-Dhimmah, Dar Ibn Hazm, Beirut, 1418AH, vol.1, p.427.

[11] Badr al-Din al-‘Ayni, ‘Umdah al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maktabah al-Shamilah, 3.13, vol. 13, p.35.