“Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity.” 1
Most of us can relate to the hardships of being ill. Here are some coping ideas for both the emotional and physical hardships of illness:
- Be self-aware. Be aware of your negative thoughts and feelings. Remind yourself that Allah loves those who are patient during difficulty.
“…..And Allah loves the patient ones.” (Al-Imran 3:146)
Catch yourself if you start to have negative thoughts like, “Allah doesn’t like me” or “Why is this happening to me?” Remember that the Prophets of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon all of them) suffered the most of all human beings!
“The most in their suffering among the people are the prophets…” 2
- Know that being patient during illness will bring you nearer to Allah
.
The Prophet
said:
“Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm from sickness or other matters, Allah
“Expect good because Allah makes a believer’s sickness an expiation (for his sins) and a period of rest. However, when a disbeliever falls sick, he is like a camel whose owner ties it then lets it loose;it does not understand why it was tied nor why it was freed.” 4
Being sick also gives you an opportunity to learn compassion and humility–extremely important traits of a believer. Don’t be afraid to seek help from others and to admit your vulnerability. They will get blessings for helping you!
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Try to find something to be grateful for when you are feeling sick or down.
Be thankful that you are not as ill as you could be. Remember that Allah rewards thankfulness in His servants:
And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” (Ibrahim, 14:7)
- Try to improve your condition (i.e. look for solutions).
When I am sick, I take a lot of Vitamin D3, a proven germ fighter. I also avoid gluten and sugar. I have observed that sugar and gluten (found in bread, flour and pasta) seem to weaken my immune system. It is a good idea to reduce or eliminate sugar and high fructose corn syrup from your diet in general. Most nutritionists agree that sugar is toxic to your body and can cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Find what works for you. When you work on ways to improve your condition, you feel more empowered. Remember that becoming sick is a sign that you need to take time off for yourself. Remember to take care of yourself, both emotionally and physically.
- A specific dua for when you feel pain in your body:
Allah loves for us to remember Him and make dua to Him in all situations. When you feel a pain in your body, put your hand on the place where you feel pain and say: “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah) three times. Then say, “Auuthu billahi wa qudratihi min sharri maa ajidu wa uHaathiru -I seek refuge in Allah and in His power from the evil of what I find and of what I guard against.” 5
Illness is an unfortunate part of this world, but for the believer, illness is a way to grow closer to Allah . Through self-awareness, a patient attitude, and hope for recovery, we can turn our illnesses into ways to become better Muslims. And remember to visit those who are ill! Remember the blessed hadith:
“When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.” 6
Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. 🙂
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37 replies on “5 Ideas to Cope with Illness”
Jazaakillaahu khairan for another piece of excellent writing! ♥
Wa iyaa kum, Bushraa! Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Jazak Allah khair for this beautiful article. .we need to understand Allah ‘s mercy even if we r sick or we r in any trouble. . May Allah give us hidayat to be grateful in everyway…now I will try to accept my illness as a gift from Allah in sha Allah ….
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Great post…. How to subscribe for daily posts
Thank you for your comment, Sagar. I’m not sure which daily posts you are referring to.
Very good article.
Thank you, Mohammad
Thank you, Mohammad.
Read right article at right time for me…Alhamdulillah. May Allah bless you !
May Allah bless you too, Abdul Majeed. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you for your kind words, Abdul Majeed. May Allah bless you too.
masha Allah thanks for this article. i suffered with anxiety and panic disorder.and sometimes it leads to depression when i’m in my critical moment.i’ve no idea do these mental illnesses are still an illness in islam’s perspective.it quite makes me sad when people thought i having these illnesses because i’m not religious enough, or something like punishment . but your article soothing my heart little bit.it’s hard to stay positive when you are sick especially when you are sick because of your brain have health problem.
My father passed away on Sunday gone (10th April 2016) after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for many years.
Just came across your article, and jazak’Allah this has given me some sort of peace.
Can I please ask everyone to keep my father in your duas.
Many Thanks
Straight forward article…thanks! It’s a great reminder and reinforces the right Way to deal with poor health in an Islamic manner.
Jazak Allah khairan! It is cery useful sister ☺
Jazak Allah Khair…its such a good lesson.
I love reading this article. True and inspiring. Please share more articles that may give us strenght. SUBHAN ALLAH .
Subhanallah sheikh this really motivated us.
Shukran, its very beuatiful articles keeep updating us with good staff!! may Allah SWA reward ya for your effort and gives us all a knowlegde to understand and act on it!!
jazakhallah khair ya okhty.
Thanks for this amazing article, may the almighty reward you.
How do you look after yourself when your sick if you are already a full time carer for someone and don’t have much time for yourself as it is.
I really needed to read something like that. I was losing my patience and hope after praying day and night and not getting the results i wanted. But i know in time Allah will heal it. I just need to be patient. Do keep writing more stuff like this to keep us informed and full of hope 🙂
Thanks for enlighten…
Masha Allah very encouraging statement. I am a sick person and i find it very helpful indeed. Jazak Allah Khair.
JazakAllahu khairan
what about those suffering from psychiatric illnesses? where they are constantly having negative thoughts! are they included as well in what this article is talking about?
Alhamdullillah. Jazaka Allahu khayran
A very helpful post
Mashaallah, nice post.
Mashallah good article.. Thanks for sharing!
Salamoe alaikoem Sister! Thank you for this inspiring, uplifting en beautifully written article. I have been dealing with a chronic illness for a few years now, and have been heaving dealing with some other health issues in the past. Sometimes when you are feeling pain and sadness its easy to forget to trust Allah. Articles like these help me remember to always keep having hope in Allah en to keep in mind that whatever is happening, its for a reason only Allah knows about and He is the best op Planners. Djazaki Allahoe khairan voor making me remember!!
this is very true who ever allah likes and wants to forgive their sinds he also tests them in this world
May Allah in HIS infinite mercy increase you in knowledge thank for a wonderful teaching.
Nice article with some ordinary information. I have been disabled for 1 year now and will write what worked for me to help others. First the dua did nothing for my pain. I was in horrible chronic pain. I agree with you stating to keep your faith and be patient. Always thank Allah for everything. I mixed 1/2 olive oil, black seed oil and added in some maya zam zam for massage. In the beginning I was on moriphine as nothing helped and later found that using an herb called horny goat was healing. So horny goat (4 caps), then 4 hours later 4 caps of ginger and 4 hours later 4 caps of turmeric mixed with black pepper. Constant bed rest a must. Also found hyaluronic acid and collagen and vitamin C did wonders. A healthy diet is a must as you say. I went on a vegetarian diet. Al hamdulilah I am better and seeing improvements but still some time to go.
A very inspirational article. Thank you.
Praise be to Allah ! your article is just in time !! for yesterday i have undergone a wonderful experience after an overwhelming ailment, i felt as i was going to meet my end, i felt that Allah’s mercy was roaming around all my room .. verily, illness is just one of Allah’s soldiers to bring His slave closer to Him 🙂