Question:
What is the ruling for a woman who visits a sick man?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Among the manners taught in Islam and also an encouragement of the Prophet PBUH is to visit the sick. In fact, it is among the rights of a Muslim on another Muslim. This matter is mentioned by the Prophet PBUH in numerous hadiths, among them are:
The Prophet PBUH said:
حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ سِتٌ، قِيلَ مَا هُنَّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ : إِذَا لَقِيتَهُ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ، وَإِذَا دَعَاكَ فَأَجِبْهُ، وَإِذَا اسْتَنْصَحَكَ فَانْصَحْ لَهُ، وَإِذَا عَطَسَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ فَسَمِّتْهُ، وَإِذَا مَرِضَ فَعُدْهُ وَإِذَا مَاتَ فَاتَّبِعْهُ
Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It was said to him: Allah's Messenger, what are these? Thereupon he said: When you meet him, offer him greetings;when he invites you to a feast accept it. when he seeks your council give him, and when he sneezes and says:" All praise is due to Allah," you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you); and when he fails ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.
Sahih Muslim (2162) and Ibn HIbban (242)
The Prophet PBUH said:
عُودُوا الْمَرِيضَ ، وَاتْبَعُوا الْجَنَائِزَ تُذَكِّرْكُمُ الآخِرَةَ
"Visit the sick. Follow funeral processions. Surely it will remind yourselves of the Next World."
Narrated by al-Tayyalisi (2355)
No one will be able to find a clearer depiction of the great reward and status of visiting the sick that is stated here where Allah SWT said that visiting the sick is the same as visiting Him.
These hadiths clearly explain to us the importance of visiting the sick which is one of the examples of great manners in Islam. The Prophet PBUH as the example for his ummah not only encouraged it through his words but also through his actions. Once the Prophet PBUH visit a sick Jew, where he also presented Islam to the Jew and the Jew finally embraces Islam.
It is further encouraged especially among Muslims who have close relationships, whether through nasab and lineage, marriage, friendship, teacher and others. Simply put, the commandment is greater on them compared to others.
If we analyse the words of the hadith, we will find that it comes in a general form which includes both men and women. Hadiths such as this mean “Visit the sick,” or the hadith “Whoever visit the sick,” also the hadith which states “When a person is sick, visit him,” all of them is a general form of commandment and not specific to just men. These are enough as evidence of the permissibility of men visiting a sick woman on the condition that he follows the manners and limitations set by syarak.
However, regarding the issue of a woman visiting a sick man, there are specific evidences that mentioned this:
- Imam Bukhari in the book Al Mardha in his Sahih under the chapter “Women visiting a sick man” stated: Indeed, Ummu Darda’ visited an Ansar man from the mosque when he was sick.
- Narrated from Aisyah R.Anhu, she said: When the Prophet PBUH reached Medina, Abu Bakar and Bilal were sick. Afterwards, I went to visit both of them saying: O father, how are you? O Bilal how are you?
Sahih al-Bukhari (5654)
- Indeed, Ummu Mubasyir binti al-Barra’ bin Ma’rur al-Ansari went inside to visit Ka’ab bin Malik Ansari while he was dying and said to him: O Abu Abdul Rahman (the moniker given to Ka’ab bin Malik) send my regards to by son (Mubasyir) with the statement of salam.
From these examples, it is clear to us that there is no restriction or obstruction for a Muslim woman to visit another Muslim who is sick, it is permissible if the woman follows the guidelines and manners set by syarak. Thus, one must ensure that the visit must not involve anything that is prohibited in syarak, such as wearing make-up, perfumes, soft and gentle words and being alone with the sick man without the presence of her mahram.
It is prioritized for the issue of visiting a sick man for a woman to visit him together with others in a group. This means if a female teacher wants to visit a sick male teacher, she should go visit him with other female teachers to fulfil the obligation of visiting the sick at the same time preventing syubahat (doubts).
It is unreasonable if a woman as a colleague or supervisor to not visit her colleague when the man is sick when she always deals with him every day without feeling guilty. If it is permissible for them to work together, why would it be wrong for them to see each other when he is sick? Is communication and dealings between opposite genders are only permissible when they are healthy? When those who are sick has a greater right to be taken care of.
While the evidences for the permissibility of a man to visit a woman is included in the general commandment of visiting the sick as stated above.
However, there are also specific evidences that mentioned the permissibility of a man visiting a sick woman. They are as the following:
- Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Aisyah R.Anha, she said: The Prophet PBUH went to visit Dhaba’ah binti al-Zubair who was sick and he asked: “Is there a possibility for you to perform hajj?” The woman answered: For Allah, I did not find anything that could stop me unless extreme ailment. The Prophet PBUH then said: Perform hajj and set conditions for it.
- Muslim narrated from Jaabir bin Abdullah, where the Prophet PBUH went to visit Ummu Saaib (or Ummul Musayyah) and he said: “Why are you shivering O Ummu Saaib?” She answered: “I’m down with fever of which there is no blessing in it.” The Prophet PBUH said: “Don’t vilify the fever, because fever will remove the sins of the children of Adam the same way the fire of the stove cleanses the impurities of steel.”
- Abu Daud narrated from Ummu ‘Ala’, she said: The Prophet PBUH visited me when I was sick telling me: “Cheer up O Ummu ‘Ala’.”
- Al-Nasaie narrated from Abu Umamah, he said: A woman from a family who lives in the northern part of Medina fell sick and the Prophet PBUH who is concerned about visiting a sick person said: “If the woman passes away, then inform me about it.”
- Imam al-Bukhari narrated that Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma asked for permission from Aisyah who was very sick to visit her. Then, Aisyah gave her permission. Ibn Abbas asked: “How are you feeling now?” Aisyah answered: “Everything is good if I really have taqwa.” Ibn Abbas then said: “Insya-Allah you will be in goodness, you are the wife of the Prophet PBUH, of whom the only virgin that he married and because of you the news that free you from the accusation of fitnah is revealed from the skies.”
After we review these Sahih hadiths, then it is impermissible for us to run away from the guidance of Allah SWT and His Messenger. It is unreasonable for us to restrict something that has been broadened by Allah SWT or burden something that has been facilitated by Allah SWT. In any type of situation, the sunnah of the Prophet PBUH is greatly prioritized to be followed compared to the words or opinions of anyone.