[Explanation]
The ḥadith master al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him) says in his book Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn that a sick person is allowed to mention the illness he is experiencing and its severity, provided that this is done merely as information and not as a complaint—that is, his aim is to inform, not to object to or resent Allah’s decree and pre-ordainment. He then cites the ḥadith of Ibn Masʿūd, the ḥadith of Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, and the ḥadith of ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with them all). All of these reports show that there is no objection to someone who is ill saying, “I am sick,” “my pain is intense,” and the like.

The ḥadith of Ibn ʿAbbās relates that he entered upon the Prophet ﷺ while the Messenger was burning with fever—that is, suffering severely. Ibn ʿAbbās touched him and said, “You are enduring a fierce fever, O Messenger of Allah!” He replied, “Yes, I feel fever as keenly as two men among you.” In other words, the illness was made especially hard for him ﷺ so that he might attain the loftiest degrees of patience.

Indeed, every type of patience was realized in him at the highest level: he was patient in obeying Allah, patient in refraining from disobedience, and patient in bearing the painful decrees of Allah. He remained steadfast in obeying Allah when he conveyed his Lord’s message despite the severe harm inflicted upon him—even being abused in the very heart of the Sacred Mosque—yet he endured it, seeking reward. He traveled to the people of Ṭāʾif and called them to Allah, but they mocked and ridiculed him and pelted him with stones.