Abu Sa'id reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and granthim peace, said, "Visit the sick. Follow funeral processions. Remind yourselvesof the Next World."
Visiting the Ill - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 518
Abu Sa'id reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Visit the sick. Follow funeral processions. Remind yourselves of the Next World."
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith from Imam Bukhari's Al-Adab Al-Mufrad contains three essential injunctions that strengthen communal bonds and spiritual awareness.
Visiting the sick (ʿiyādat al-marīḍ) is a collective obligation (farḍ kifāyah) that demonstrates Muslim brotherhood, brings comfort to the afflicted, and earns divine reward. The visitor should make brief supplications for healing and reflect on life's transience.
Following funeral processions (tashyīʿ al-janā'iz) honors the deceased and serves as a powerful memento mori. It reminds participants of their ultimate return to Allah and the accountability awaiting in the Hereafter.
Reminding oneself of the Next World (tadhkīr bi-al-ākhirah) is the spiritual fruit of these practices. By witnessing illness and death, the believer's heart naturally turns from worldly attachments to preparation for the eternal abode.
Spiritual Benefits
These acts cultivate compassion, humility, and God-consciousness. They transform worldly experiences into opportunities for spiritual growth, aligning the heart with the reality that this life is but a temporary passage to the everlasting Hereafter.