visits a sick person remains in the harvest of Paradise.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the harvest of Paradise?” He replied, “Its fruit.”1 That is, he is among the gardens of Paradise, picking whatever he wishes and gathering whatever he desires.
Al-Tirmidhī narrated from Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When anyone visits a sick person or visits a brother of his for Allah’s sake, a caller proclaims: ‘May all be well with you, may your journey be blessed, and may you be granted an abode in Paradise.’”2 The hadiths concerning this are numerous.
When a Muslim visits a sick person, it is recommended that he reassure and comfort him, remind him of Allah’s reward, and tell him that illness brings him expiation and purification.
In Sahih al-Bukhārī, Ibn Abbās, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, entered upon a Bedouin to visit him. Whenever the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, visited a sick person, he would say: “No harm; it is purification, if Allah wills.” The Bedouin said: “Purification, you say? Certainly not! Rather, it is a fever that boils—or rages—upon an aged man and sends him to the graves.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: “Then may it be as you say.”3
His words, “It is purification, if Allah wills,” form the predicate of an omitted subject; that is: it is purification for you from your sins—it purifies you of them.
In the Sunan of Imam Abū Dāwūd, Umm al-Alā, may Allah be pleased with her, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, visited me while I was ill and said: “Rejoice, Umm al-Alā, for through a Muslim’s illness Allah removes his sins just as fire removes the dross from gold and silver.”4