[Commentary]

These reports set out what may be said when one visits a sick person; Imām al-Nawawī—may Allah have mercy on him—quoted them in his Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn.

In the ḥadīth of Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, the Prophet ﷺ visited him during his illness and said three times, “O Allah, heal Saʿd; O Allah, heal Saʿd; O Allah, heal Saʿd.” This proves that it is Sunnah for a Muslim to visit an ill brother. It also highlights the Prophet’s ﷺ excellent character and the kindness he showed his Companions, for he would visit their sick and supplicate for them. The report further indicates that it is recommended to use this very supplication—“O Allah, heal so-and-so,” naming the patient—three times, for such prayer can be a cause of recovery.

The narration is also evidence that supplication should be repeated. Whenever the Messenger ﷺ prayed, he would repeat the plea three times, and when he offered the greeting of peace and it was not heard clearly, he would repeat it three times. Repeating a petition thrice is therefore legislated, just as he ﷺ would say in prayer, “Lord, forgive me; Lord, forgive me; Lord, forgive me.” In the same way, the visitor should repeat his supplication for the sick.

The compiler then mentioned the ḥadīth of ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ in which he asked the Prophet ﷺ