He who visits the sick is supposed to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise. It was said: Allah's Messenger, what is this Khurfat-ul-jannah? He said: It is a place abounding in fruits.
The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship
Sahih Muslim - Hadith 2568d
Hadith Text
"He who visits the sick is supposed to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise. It was said: Allah's Messenger, what is this Khurfat-ul-jannah? He said: It is a place abounding in fruits."
Commentary on the Meaning
The term "Khurfat-ul-jannah" refers to a special orchard within Paradise, characterized by its abundant fruits and delights. This metaphor illustrates the spiritual reward awaiting those who perform the noble act of visiting the sick.
Visiting the sick is among the great acts of worship that draw a believer closer to Allah. The one who engages in this virtuous deed is promised continuous spiritual nourishment and pleasure, symbolized by remaining in this heavenly garden.
Scholarly Insights
This hadith emphasizes the immense merit of 'iyadat al-marid' (visiting the sick), which strengthens communal bonds and demonstrates practical compassion.
The description of Paradise's fruit garden serves as a tangible incentive, making the spiritual reward comprehensible to human understanding through familiar earthly pleasures.
Classical scholars note that such visits should be brief, comforting, and include supplications for the patient's recovery, transforming a social duty into an act of worship.
Legal and Ethical Dimensions
Visiting the sick is considered a collective obligation (fard kifayah) upon the Muslim community when some fulfill it, others are absolved.
This practice embodies the Islamic principles of mercy, empathy, and social responsibility, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic teachings that integrate worship with social conduct.