´Uqbah bin Amir Al-Juhani narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:` "Do not force your sick to eat, for indeed Allah, Blessed and Most High, provides them food and drink."(Dai'f)
Hadith Referenceسنن ترمذي / كتاب الطب عن رسول اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم / 2040
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:صحيح، ابن ماجة (3444) | زبیر علی زئی:(2040) إسناده ضعيف / جه 3444, بكر بن يونس بن بكير ضعيف ( تق:754) ضعفه الجمھور ولحديثه شواھد ضعيفة عندالحاكم (410/4) وغيره
´It was narrated from ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir Al-Juhani that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:` “Do not force your sick ones to eat or drink. Allah will feed them and give them to drink.”
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊ Our researcher has declared the mentioned narration to be weak in its chain of transmission. However, Imam Tirmidhi and Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah have graded it as hasan (good) due to other supporting evidences. And their opinion appears to be correct. And Allah knows best. For details, see (al-Sahihah of al-Albani, no. 727).
➋ Food suitable for a healthy person is not beneficial for a sick person. Therefore, they should not be given heavy food.
➌ If the patient does not feel inclined to eat or drink, do not be harsh with them. Because food given by force causes harm rather than benefit.
➍ Through appropriate encouragement, light and easily digestible food can be given. So that strength may be maintained.
➎ Allah ta‘ala feeds and gives drink to the sick person. This means that they do not need food and drink like a healthy person.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 3444