The Goodness in Getting Sick

After praising Allah in Arabic for one minute and fifteen seconds, Ustadh Michael Wolfender reminds how we take our health for granted, until becoming sick. Islam, as a lifestyle, promotes hygiene, fending illness. This includes washing five times a day and before and after eating. Oral health is reflective of overall health. However, many still become ill. Illness can occur as a test from Allah to ensure believers do not  become arrogant with Allah’s Pleasure and owning these blessings as a result of one’s own actions.

When you do take all preventive hygienic measures, you may still become ill and a believer looks forward and reaches out to Allah for the best. Everything Allah decrees is good for the believer. Prophet Ibrahim, as a role model, recognized that upon getting ill, Allah is the Provider of Health. Brother Michael concludes with a metaphor to cleanse the germs in your body and heart creating obstacles and illnesses in your connection with Allah, referencing two ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185 – 186): “Ramaḍân is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.