The wise person is the one who makes the best of every situation in life. This is how a Muslim ought to be. There Is a silver lining even when you are sick and down, so look out for it. You should know that your reward during the affliction will be based on what you say and do. If you praise Allaah and remember Him, you will get Allaah's pleasure; if you cry aloud, calling for your ruin, saying that Allaah is unjust in His Decree, invoking curses upon_ yourself, abandoning your obligations towards Allaah and eventually indulging in sin, you will get Allaahs displeasure.
Dont Be Sick!
Very often people compound their sickness by being sick of everything else including their Creator and the worship of Him. Particularly when your illness seem like it will not go, still be patient for the end-result of your patience and endurance is more beneficial than throwing in the towel. Allaah says: "Those who patiently persevere will truly receive their reward in full, without measure." (Q39[Zumar]:10)
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "He who refrains from begging, Allaah safeguards him against want [i.e., He makes him contented], and he who seeks sufficiency, Allaah would keep him in a state of sufficiency, and he who is patient and persevering [and shows endurance], Allaah will aid hitn in his patience and perseverance [and grant him ability to endure], and no one has been given a gift better and more abundant than patience and endurance ." (Bukhari)
Do Not Wish for Death
Sometimes, the pain and the emotional trauma of illness becomes very severe that you would rather prefer to be dead. If this happens to you, still never ask for death for there could still be a light at the end of the dark tunnel of your life. Instead of asking for death, Allaahs Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) recommended making duaa: "None of you should wish for death on account of an illness or calamity that has befallen him. If there is no other alternative action, let him pray, 0 Allaah! Give me life as long as life is good for me, and cause me to die as when death is better for me ." (Bukhari)
Do Not Revile Your Sickness
Also, you should not revile your illness or curse yourself over it. Allaahs Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) visited Umm as-Saaib (RA) and asked, "What is the matter with you that you are trembling?" She replied, "Fever: May Allaah not bless it." Upon this, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Do not revile fever, for it removes the sins of the sons of Aadam just as the bellows remove the dross of iron." (Muslim)
You should, therefore, becautious of what you say, and guard against invoking Allaahs curse upon yourself. Do Not Contemplate Suicide Also, it is not right for you to consider terminating your life because of hardship and despair. You did not originate life; likewise, you have no right to terminate it. It is not suitable for the creature to choose death while the Creator has chosen to give him life.
It is Shaytaan who has confined your thought that there is no way out of the illness you are suffering except by ending your life. However, Allaah, in His Mercy, gives you a guaranteearm reassurance that He will make a way out for you to get oirt of your difficulty, and who is more truthful than Allaah in speech and words. Allaah states in the Quraan: "do not kill yourselves Surely, Allaah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall .cast him into the fire, and that is easy for Allaah," (Q4[Nisaa]: 29- 30)
The act of suicide is a grave and abominable sin, So, do not entertain any thought about It. and do not give room for the beguilement of the devil, Allaahs Messenger (salallahu alayhl wa sallam) Said, "A man was Inflicted With wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allaah said "My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him," (Bukhari)
Guard the Righteous Deeds
The best form of righteous deed in your situation after your five daily salaat is to read the Quraan and reflect on its message and also by chanting the various forms of dhikr that are recorded in the Sunnah. This will enrich your heart, strengthen your soul, lighten your burden, multiply your reward and bring you closer to your Creator. Allaah says: "Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer, verily, to him We will give a good life [in this world with contentment and lawful provision, and We shall certainly bestow on them their reward according to the best of their actions," (an-Nahl [161: 97)
Remembering Death and Preparing for It Death is, without doubt, a certainty. It spreads equally among mankind. It spares no one. Allaah says: "It is He [Allaah] who created death and life that He may try which of you is best in deeds " (al-Mulk [67J: 2) Remembering death does not bring death rather it reminds one to take account of his deeds in this world before they are taken account of in the Hereafter.
You should seek for Allaahs forgiveness and mercy anticipation of death, You should also forgive all those who have offend you, You should write your Will If you have not done so, You should settle your debts and return people s rights that are in your possession or leave words regarding them in your will. Having Good Thoughts about Allaah Allaah says: "...and never give up hope of Allaahs Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allaah's Mercy except the people who disbelieve." (Yuusuf [12: 87) You should entertain good thoughts about Allaah and have firm faith that He is sufficient as a Healer for your sickness, Restorer of your health, and Remover of your affliction. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, AlIaah says: I am to my servant just as he thinks of me [i.e., I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him] and I am with him as he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I too, remember him in My Heart.(Bukhari)
Thus, Allaah encourages His servants to expect the best from Him, since He will treat them According to their expectations. Between Fear and Hope Dont be alarmed! Neither despair nor grieve. Rather; you should remember your misdeeds and fear for the consequences of your sins and put your hope in Allaah. You should fear the punishment that is with Allaah and have hope that Allaah will do the best for you, and reward your good deeds and strivings. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to a youth who was at the point of death and said, "How is your condition?" He replied, "I put my hope in Allaah, O Messenger of ALlaah, and I fear for my sins. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, These two qualities [fear and hope] do not dwell together in a persons heart in this situation but Allaah will grant him what he hopes for and save him from what he fears. "(Tirmidhi)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited