This ḥadīth has a supporting narration mentioned earlier: when a person visits his sick brother he is in the kharīf of Paradise—that is, amid its fruit-harvest. As for the angels seeking forgiveness on his behalf, that requires examination, for Allah’s bounty is vast. One of the scholarly principles regarding a weak ḥadīth is that it commonly promises an enormous reward for a very small deed. Nevertheless, since the basic legitimacy of visiting the sick is firmly established, citing these virtues—so long as the weakness is not severe—encourages people to act upon the recommendation, invigorates them, and makes them hope for the stated reward. If this ḥadīth is authentically traced back to the Prophet ﷺ, the person will obtain what it promises; and if it is not, it only increases his desire to do good. In any event, it demonstrates the excellence of visiting the sick: whoever does so in the morning receives that reward, and whoever does so in the evening receives that reward.

As for the ḥadīth of Anas ibn Mālik ﵁: a Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet ﷺ. When the boy fell ill, the Prophet ﷺ visited him, sat by his head, and said, “Embrace Islam.” The boy looked toward his father, as though seeking his counsel. His father—himself a Jew—said, “Obey Abū al-Qāsim,” for the Jew knew that he was truthful. Thus he told his son, “Obey Abū al-Qāsim,” and the boy embraced Islam. The Prophet ﷺ then left, saying, “Praise be to Allah who has saved him from the Fire.” This ḥadīth contains several benefits, among them: