The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship - Sahih Muslim 2568 b

He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith, narrated in Sahih Muslim, illuminates the immense spiritual reward for visiting those afflicted with illness. The phrase "fruit garden of Paradise" (Jannat al-Khuld) signifies a state of divine mercy, spiritual tranquility, and proximity to Allah's pleasure that envelops the visitor.

The continuous nature of the reward—"continues to remain"—teaches us that the believer's journey to and from the sick person is itself an act of worship. Each step is laden with divine grace. This is not merely a physical journey but a spiritual expedition into the realms of compassion.

The wisdom behind this great reward is manifold: visiting the sick embodies the fulfillment of brotherhood in faith, provides comfort to the afflicted, reminds the healthy of life's transience, and strengthens communal bonds. It is a practical manifestation of the Quranic injunction to "cooperate in righteousness and piety."

Scholars note that this hadith encourages frequent visits, as the reward persists throughout the entire duration of the visit. The visitor essentially walks in a garden of divine mercy, harvesting spiritual fruits through this simple yet profound act of human kindness and Islamic solidarity.