The Good Side of Sickness | The Muslim Blog

Most people know what it’s like to be sick. It’s something that makes you feel kind of weak and is generally viewed as a kind of disadvantage or bad luck sometimes. But being sick can be your only portal to the truth sometimes. There is one amazing benefit of being sick. But what is it? Let’s find out!

Often when we are sick or in a life-threatening situation, life is on pause. Some of our abilities have been taken away. Some find trouble walking or moving. Others find trouble talking or eating when they are sick. The point is, we have been weakened and we see that the power is truly in the hands of our Creator. Sickness might take us away from this life for good, and in the end there’s only so much the doctors can do in the face of God’s power. So in this situation, now that we don’t know whether our life or abilities will be taken or not, we reflect. What did we do with the abilities God gave us? Some know they used their eyes to view things that God forbade viewing, and used their hands to do things God forbade doing. If they die it’s too late. They misused their power, and now they will pay for it.

Others used their power to waste their time, not benefitting the world or themselves. They just spent their power in useless things and kept procrastinating. Now it’s too late, and they might go to their Creator empty-handed.

Others used their power well. They improved the world and spent their lives in obeying God carefully and serving those who need it, hoping to leave a good mark on this world before they depart. They go to their Creator with their good deeds like defensive lawyers – their actions make it clear that they did not waste their lives.

Reflecting is something we often do when we are sick, and a great thing that we should all do regularly. We can do this now. If you died now, or contracted a life-threatening illness, which one of these groups do you belong to? You should know the answer. And after reflection you may realize that you wasted your time sometimes. But I have great news: it’s not too late!

Now is the time for action. There are steps you can take to get your life on track:

1. Acknowledge fully that no matter what you did in your life, you can still get closer to Allah (ﷻ). Acknowledge that it’s not too late for you.

2. Set your intention behind life in general for Allah (ﷻ). Truly acknowledge in your heart that this life is short and that you wish the next life. Acknowledge that you have intended every action you make, and every breath you take, for Allah (ﷻ).

3. If you know you did any sins before, try to work hard on taking them out of your life. Resolve not to do them again. If you fall into sin, that’s ok. You just have to ask Allah for forgiveness, regret them, and resolve not to do them again. It’s all in the mindset. Leaving sins can be a very difficult thing for some people, so maybe don’t go too hard on yourself if you can’t get everything under control. It’s all in the mindset. 

4. Begin the habit of praying to Allah (ﷻ) more. Ask Allah to make you closer to Him. If you ask for something and you feel that it was not given to you, realize that it may have actually been harmful for you.

5. Incorporate dhikr, or remembrance of God, into your daily life. You can search for morning and evening adthkar and say them in their appropriate times. Also, always remember God in your daily life by saying “alhamdulilah” (thank God), “inshaAllah” (God willing), and the like.

6. At a pace that suits you, greaten your devotion to Allah (ﷻ) in your daily life. Maybe you can improve the quantity or quality of your prayers (or maybe you’re going to start them). Consider taking parts of your free time to listen to or read Qur’an. Also think about making charity donations, to charities you trust. Devoting your time to Allah (ﷻ) should make you feel much closer to Him.

We all know the Nike slogan: “Just do it.”

*I am not a certified psychologist or religious authority, I am simply presenting data which I found from other sources and otherwise, and if something is incorrect in any manner I do not claim it to be correct.

*Disclaimer: The author does not claim to be perfect, and the advice listed in The Muslim Blog or on The Muslim Talk facebook/instagram pages is advice to the author as much as it is to anyone else :)
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