When there is a Sick Person in Our House

Illness is a trial from Allah The Almighty, with which He, The Exalted, afflicts whomever He wills from among His servants; to test this person and purify them from any sins. The Prophet  said: "A pious Muslim's situation is amazing, for it is all good; and this is not for anyone except for the pious Muslim. If he is granted [from Allah] welfare, he is thankful and this is good for him. If he is inflicted with distress he is patient and this is good for him."[Muslim]

A member of the family may become ill and bedridden; or there may be elderly members that need special care. Cases such as these definitely require a great deal of concern and conscientiousness. A feeling of tranquility and psychological comfort are necessary in a patient's room, which is a positive factor in the process of recovery. This requires:

• Caring for the patient and supplicating Allah The Almighty that He cures him, in a way that helps the patient feel optimistic and pleased with the decree of Allah The Almighty. We supplicate for the patient by saying, "Ath-hib Al-Ba’s Rab An-Naas. Ishfi wa anta Ash-Shaafi, la Shifaa’ Illa Shifaa’uk, Shifaa’an la Yughaadiru Saqama." (Remove pain, O Lord of people. Cure for You are the Healer and there is no cure except Yours, [Your cure is] a cure that leaves no illness.) [Al-Bukhari]

• Another Du'aa (supplication) for the sick is: "Allahumma Rab An-Naas, Muth-hib Al-Ba’s, Ishfi anta Ash-Shaafi, wala Shaafi Illa ant, Ishfi Shifaa’an la Yughaadiru Saqama." (O Allah, Lord of people, Remover of pain. Heal for You are The Healer and there is no healer except You. Cure a cure that leaves no illness.) [Ahmad and Al-Bukhari]

• The lighting in the patient's room should be suitably low to give a feeling of comfort and peace. Care should be taken so that the lights do not point directly into the patient's eyes. When the patient needs sufficient lighting to be able to read, this can be provided if his condition allows it.

• Ventilation in the room should be suitable without letting the patient be exposed to strong air currents.

On opening windows to freshen the air in the room, a partition should be placed so that air currents do not directly blow towards the patient. Limiting the air flow can also be achieved by opening the windows slightly. Maintaining a constant temperature in the patient's room is also very important.

• Maintaining the room's cleanliness without upsetting the patient by taking care to use disinfectants [avoiding toxins like chorine] in the cleaning process, and trying to minimize the circulation of dust particles and noise pollution that result during cleaning.

• Having plants and flowers in the patient's room [or as a view from his window] because it provides a kind of joy and refreshment, and helps the patient to be more comfortable psychologically. Changing the arrangement of the flowers from time to time imparts a feeling of change and prevents boredom. It is important to take care to keep strongly scented flowers away from the patient's bed if his health requires that.

• Fulfilling the patient's needs and providing his requirements without him having to repeatedly request them.

• If the patient is able to serve himself, it is best to have his medications nearby within reach, on a table near o him; along with a glass of water, paper tissues, a small clock, a Quran, a book he enjoys, a small radio and so on. -islamweb.net