Which
of the favours of our Lord can we deny? Of His Endless Favours and Blessings,
health is one of the most important. Our bodies, as medical science is
constantly discovering, is a superb miracle of miracles with extremely
well-ordered systems and mechanisms, continuous and orderly functions
and processes, biological phenomena and activities that repeat themselves
continually in perfect order. A mysterious and marvellous brain, tireless
heart, fine nervous system, circulatory system, physics laboratory lungs,
chemical factory liver, kidneys that contain millions of filters, bone
structure that is an engineering marvel, layers of assorted muscles that
cover all these, skin, eyes to see, ears to hear, nose to smell, sweet
speaking tongue, organs to produce new generations, endless mind, limitless
and countless senses, wonderful system of reflection, discovery, inventions,
arts and so on. Glory, Praise and Greatness belongs only to Allah, Almighty!
Our
health is an amazing state when all these complex and interdependent systems
work in harmony for the period of our journey on this earth. But there
is also sickness which is a stark reminder of our mortality, death and
the Hereafter. Whilst health is a blessing, sickness is an examination.
It is necessary to praise Allah for the blessings and to show endurance
during examinations. Sickness snaps one out of complacency, is a motivator
to give up sins, makes you reflect about the Hereafter, leads you to establish
pious foundations and gratitude to Allah, and teaches one the necessity
of taking better care of their health. It is also a reminder to understand
other people’s illnesses, to feel sorry for them and to help them.
And
when you are hospitalised, away from family and the comfort of your home,
at your lowest ebb physically, mentally and spiritually, the last thing
you need to worry about is the food, whether it is Halaal and suitable
for your particular ailment. SANHA has partnered with leaders in hospital
care to ensure your piece of mind that the meal delivered to your bedside
is absolutely Halaal. Your medically-approved meal designed by the hospital
dietician is produced under stringent hygienic conditions and closely
monitored through our Halaal program. See below a list of hospitals that
have chosen to offer their patients the SANHA Halaal mark of certification.
- Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, Riverhorse Valley, Durban
*
Netcare Garden City Clinic – Mayfair, Gauteng
*
Netcare Parklands – Hopelands Rd, Overport, Durban
*
Netcare Umhlanga Hospital – Umhlanga, KZN
-
Lenmed, Lenasia - Gauteng
*
If you are being admitted to a Netcare hospital which is not listed above,
please consult with admissions on the possibility of arranging your Halaal
meal from the central kitchen.
Visiting
the sick is a great Sunnah (practice and teaching of the Prophet Muhammad
– peace be upon him). He strongly encouraged and emphasized visiting
the ailing and sick people. Imam Bukhari recorded a hadith from Sayyidina
Abu Huraira (RA) that our beloved Prophet peace be upon him said:
“The
rights of one Muslim over another Muslim are six.”
Someone asked, “What are they?”
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “When
you meet him you greet him with salaam (peace); when he invites you, you
accept his invitation; when he consults you in a matter, you give him
sincere advice; When he sneezes and praises Allah, you ask Allah to have
mercy on him; When he is sick, you visit him and when he passes away you
accompany him i.e. you join in his janazah (burial).”
While
fulfilling this revered act, the visitor should keep some things in mind
so as to discharge his obligation in an appropriate manner.
1.
Call before hand to find out if it would be appropriate to visit at a
specific time or to find out when it would be best to visit.
2.
The visit should be brief so that the ill person does not become burdened
by your presence.
3.
Stand or sit where the sick person can see you without difficulty.
4.
Be cheerful yet sympathetic with encouraging words.
5.
Make dua for the sick person and request the same from the patient.
6.
Read the following dua :
“Do
not despair (this is) a cleansing (from sins). If Allah wills. O’
Allah cure him. O’ Allah keep him safe from illness”
Our
prayers to Almighty Allah is for the good health, happiness, peace of
our readers and their families and ease from pain and quick recovery for
all our sick people. Aameen.
Acknowledgements:
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Es'ad Cosan, SANHA, Darul Ihsan, S A Institute for Islamic
Research, Ebi Lockhat |