His father said: "Ali took me by the hand and said: 'Come with us to pay a visit to Al-Hasan.' So we found that Abu Musa was with him.' Ali - peace be upon him - said: 'O Abu Musa! Did you come to visit (the sick) or merely (stop by to) visit?' He said: 'No, to visit (the sick).' So Ali said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: "No Muslim visits (the sick) Muslims in the morning, except that sevety-thousand angels, sent Salat upon him until the evening, and he does not visit at night except that seventy thousand angels sent Salat upon him until the morning, and there will be a garden for him in Paradise."
The Book on Jana'iz (Funerals)
Jami' at-Tirmidhi - Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 969
Hadith Text & Context
This narration describes Ali ibn Abi Talib taking his father to visit the ill Al-Hasan, where they encounter Abu Musa al-Ash'ari. Ali inquires about the nature of Abu Musa's visit, establishing it as a formal sick visit (iyadah) rather than a casual meeting.
Scholarly Commentary
The distinction between casual visiting and intentional sick visitation is crucial in Islamic law. Visiting the sick (iyadat al-marid) is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) upon the Muslim community and carries immense spiritual rewards.
The Prophet's mention of seventy thousand angels sending salat (blessings) upon the visitor demonstrates the divine honor accorded to this act of compassion. Angels continuously supplicate for the visitor's forgiveness and elevation in status from morning until evening, or from evening until morning.
The promise of "a garden in Paradise" indicates both the magnitude of reward and the specific heavenly abode prepared for those who fulfill this religious duty. This garden represents a distinct, honored station beyond the general Paradise promised to believers.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
Scholars emphasize that the full reward is attained only when the visit is performed solely for Allah's pleasure, following the proper etiquette: making the visit brief, offering sincere supplications, and providing comfort to the sick.
The timing specification (morning and evening visits) indicates the comprehensive nature of the reward - whether one visits at day or night, the spiritual benefits continue throughout the corresponding period.