Visiting the sick is a responsibility and duty that a Muslim must fulfil. Abu Huraira quotes the Prophet as having said that the rights of one Muslim over another are six; "When you meet him, you greet him with salaam (peace), when he invites you, accept his invitation, when he consults you in a matter, give him sincere advice. When he sneezes and praises Allah, ask Allah to have mercy on him. When he is sick, visit him and when he passes away, accompany him i.e. join in his funeral.”

These actions create love and bonding. Our consolation will not take away one’s sickness, but it may lift their spirits and make them happy. Furthermore, Muslims are like one body; if one part of the body hurts, the entire body hurts.

While visiting the sick, the visitor should keep some things in mind so as to discharge his obligation in a successful manner. For instance, the visitor should first call to find out if it would be appropriate to visit at a specific time, or to find out when it would be best to visit. The visit should be brief so that the patient does not feel burdened.

Some scholars say that the length of the visit should not be longer than the time between the two sermons of Friday (40 minutes to one hour). In this respect, the visit should be long enough to convey greetings and wishes, to ask the sick how they are doing, to pray for their recovery and to leave immediately after bidding them farewell.

Whenever the prophet visited a sick person, he would pass his hand over the patient, saying: ‘O Allah! Lord of mankind, take away the suffering; bring about recovery, only your cure takes away illnesses.’

The whole experience of visiting the sick is full of reflection. It’s only through illness that we can truly appreciate good health. Sickness is a means of cleansing from Allah as well as a test from Him.

We pray to Allah to cure the sick amongst us and give us the ability to practice this sunnah of visiting them. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, "Show compassion to those on earth, the One in the heavens will show mercy upon you.”

Healing verses in Quran

While the entire Quran is a source of healing, there are six verses that address healing. These are referred to as ayat ash-shifa or verses of healing.

*And [God] shall heal the breast of the believers. (At-Tawba, 9:14)

*Mankind there has come to you a guidance from your Lord and a healing for (the diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe a guidance and a mercy. (Yunus, 10:5

*There comes from within the bodies of the bee a drink of varying colours wherein is healing for mankind. (An-Nahl, 16:69)

*And We sent down in the Quran such things that have healing and mercy for the believers (Al-Isra, 17:82)

*And when I am ill, it is [God] who cures me. (Ash-Shu’ara: 26:80. This verse was a supplication of Prophet Ibraham)

*And declare (O Muhammad) that [the Quran] is a guidance and healing for the believers. (Al-Fussilat, 41:44)