Illness as an Expiation for Sins
Goodness Hidden in Hardship
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When Allah intends good for someone, He afflicts him with trials."
(Bukhari, al-Marḍā, Bab Mā Jā’a fī Kaffārat al-Marad: 5645)
Every Pain and Grief Wipes Away Sins
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"No Muslim is afflicted with any hurt, worry, sorrow, or grief — even if it be a thorn that pricks him — except that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it."
(Bukhari: 5646; Muslim: 2572)
Illness Removes Sins Like Leaves Falling from a Tree
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When a Muslim is afflicted with harm, Allah wipes away his sins because of it, just as a tree sheds its leaves."
(Bukhari, al-Marḍā, Bab Shiddat al-Marad: 5665; Muslim: 2571)
Fever as an Expiation for Sins
The Prophet of Mercy ﷺ said:
"Do not curse fever, for it removes sins from the son of Adam just as a furnace removes impurities from iron."
(Muslim, al-Birr wa al-Ṣilah, Bab Thawāb al-Mu’min fīmā Yuṣībah min Marad aw Ḥuzn: 2575)
Full Reward for the Sick and the Traveller
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Allah writes the reward for the sick person and the traveller equal to what they used to do when they were healthy and at home."
(Bukhari, al-Jihād wa al-Siyar, Bab Yuktab lil-Musāfir mithla mā kāna ya‘mal fī al-Iqāmah: 2996)
The Excellence of Patience During Illness
Losing Eyesight with Patience and the Promise of Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah Almighty says:
"When I take away the sight of My servant and he remains patient, I will compensate him with Paradise."
(Bukhari, al-Marḍā, Bab Faḍl man Dhahaba Baṣarahu: 5653)
The Woman of Paradise Who Bore Her Illness with Patience
Sayyiduna ‘Aṭāʾ (RA) narrated: Ibn ‘Abbās (RA) said to me: "Shall I show you a woman from the people of Paradise?"
I said: "Yes."
He said: "This black woman came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘I suffer from epilepsy and my body becomes exposed; please pray to Allah for me.’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘If you wish, be patient and you will have Paradise, or if you wish, I will supplicate for you.’ She said: ‘I will be patient, but pray to Allah that my body does not become exposed.’ So he supplicated for her."
(Bukhari, al-Marḍā, Bab Faḍl man Yuṣra‘ min al-Rīḥ: 5652; Muslim: 2576)
