A Day in the Life of Prophet Muhammad(SAW)

Visiting the Sick

The Prophet also visited those who were sick. Indeed, his

presence at the time of pain and suffering provided treatment and

comforted patients.

One example was his visit to Sa 'd ibn ' Ubadah when he was ill.

The Prophet visited him, accompanied by 'Abd al-Rahman ibn

'Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. When the

Prophet entered the room, he realized that Sa 'd had lost

consciousness. His family were around him. The Prophet asked

them: "Has he passed away?" They said: "No, messenger of God."

The Prophet was tearful. When those present saw him weeping,

they also wept. He said: "Do you not hear? God does not punish

anyone for tearful eyes or a sorrowful heart. He punishes for what

this [pointing to his tongue] may do, or He may bestow His grace."

This is jus t an example of t he Prophet's compassion: his eyes

were tearful simply because one of his companions lost

consciousness. I wonder what were Sa 'd ibn 'Ubadah's feelings

when he regained consciousness and recovered, then learnt that the

Prophet wept when he saw him in that condition. How did Sa 'd's

sons, relatives and attendants feel to see the Prophet sharing their

worry and sadness, feeling as they felt? He appeared to experience

the same feelings of pain and sorrow that they experienced. Such

was the Prophet's compassion. No wonder. God who knows him

has described him in these words: " ' He is] tender and full of

compassion towards the believers." (9: 128)

Another example is his visit to J abir ibn 'Abdullah. J abir

reports: "I fell ill. The Prophet came to visit me accompanied by

Abu Bakr. They came walking when I was being nursed at my

people's quarters, the Salamah clan. He saw me as I had lost

consciousness. I was unaware of anything. The Prophet performed

his ablution and then sprinkled some of the water he used for his

ablution on me. I soon regained consciousness and found God's

mes senger by my side. I asked him: 'Messenger of God, what shall I do with my property, as I have no immediate heir, neither parent

nor child.' He did not answer me, until the Qur'anic verse

explaining the inheritance in such a case was revealed."

What we should know is that Jabir, the patient who asked the

Prophet how his property would be divided should he die in that

illness, lived around 70 years after the Prophet had passed away.

This scene remained present with him.

We need to reflect a little on Jabir's words: "I soon regained

consciousness and found God's messenger by my side." As he

reports the event, he sounds as if he was looking at him now and

relives the surprise.

Nothing is felt more keenly by people than to find you close at

hand when they are in pain or feeling weak. Such was the Prophet

with his companions. They never missed him at a moment of pain.

He was always there to comfort them. Nor did they miss him at a

moment of happiness. He was always there to please them. Hence,

their unequalled love of him.