Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Burdah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—most likely it was Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her)—that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) fell ill, and due to this illness, he experienced severe distress and pain. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “O Messenger of Allah! You are anxious and restless; if I were to do this, you would be surprised at me.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Do you not know that the hardship upon a believer is so that it may become an expiation for his sins?”