His statement, “Visiting the sick is recommended”: the author did not specify when a sick person should be visited, nor did he explain whether one should speak with him and remain for a while, or refrain from speaking and leave promptly.

We say: It is better that he did not mention these details. As for the appropriate time, it differs according to what the sick person’s condition and best interests require. It should not be restricted to morning or evening, as some scholars have restricted it. Rather, we say that this depends on people’s circumstances, which vary according to the condition of the sick person. If, for example, the sick person has set aside a particular time to receive visitors, then it is not appropriate to visit him at another time, for his designating a time in which people may visit indicates that he does not wish for visits at other times; otherwise, he would have left the door open.

Likewise, whether one should remain with the sick person and speak to him, or visit him and then leave quickly, should not be subject to a fixed rule. Although some scholars say that it is preferable not to stay long and to leave promptly, since this may be burdensome for the sick person, and likewise burdensome for his family, who may wish to attend to their patient.

But the correct view is that this is determined by what the circumstances and best interests require. A sick person may love those who visit him, whether out of general affection or particular affection for a certain individual, and may wish for him to remain and speak with him—especially if the sick person feels at ease with you and you see that he likes you to speak with him, such as when he asks you about people’s circumstances, for example, or about matters he wishes to know about. In that case, you should remain with him. But