It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went to visit a Bedouin who was ill. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no harm and no fear for you; this illness is a means of purification from sins, if Allah wills." The narrator says that the Bedouin replied: "No, rather it is a fever that is boiling in an old man so that it may take him to the graveyard." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Then it will be as you say."
Hadith Referenceالادب المفرد / كتاب / 514
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح : أخرجه البخاري ، كتاب التوحيد ، باب فى المشية و الإرادة : 7470 ، 3616 و النسائي فى الكبرىٰ : 10811 - انظر التعليقات الحسان : 2948»
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues: ➊ From this, it is understood that the ruler of the time and the scholars should visit the sick, even if they are ignorant people. This is a mark of their greatness. Similarly, during the visit, making supplication (du'a) for the patient and giving them comfort is also recommended (mustahabb) and a Sunnah. ➋ Illness should be borne with the intention that it will become an expiation (kaffarah) for sins. However, if a person does not have this conviction, then it will not be an expiation for him; rather, it will be as he thinks. Therefore, in the state of illness, one should have good expectations from Allah, the Exalted. ➌ In some narrations, it is mentioned that the Bedouin passed away before the next evening. (Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad) Therefore, the patient should accept good advice (wasiyyah).
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 514