The Test of illness

However one should understand that this delivery from suffering can
be in two forms. The first and most hoped for is actual cure or physical
release from the pain. The second is not usually recognized by people,
and this is that a more comfortable and relieving afterlife is being
prepared for us because of the pain that we are bearing.
Ab[ Hurayrah t narrated that he heard the Messenger of All\h r
saying, “No fatigue, illness, sorrow, sadness, hurt or distress befalls a
Muslim, even if it were a prick he receives from a thorn, but All\h
expiates some of his sins for that.’
al-Bukhari
Once the Prophet r entered the home of Umm al-Musayyab y and
asked as to why she was shivering, She said, “It is fever and may it not
be blessed by Allah.” To this the Prophet replied, “Do not curse fever,
for it expiates the sin of the children of ¬dam just as a furnace removes
the scum of iron.
Muslim
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas t narrated that he asked the Prophet r as to who
was the most severely tested people. The Prophet r replied, 'The
Prophets then their like and then their like (in terms of piety). A man is
tested in accordance to (the strength of) his faith. If his faith is very
strong his assessment is severe and if his faith is weak then his
assessment is in accordance to it. A servant will continually be tested
until it will leave him walking on the earth free from sin (i.e. his
patience will be a source of expiation for his sins).
al-*\kim
Anas t narrated that he heard the Prophet r say, “Indeed the greatest
rewards are accompanied by the greatest trials; as when All\h loves a
nation, He tests them. Whoever accepts the trial willingly, earns His
pleasure; and whoever resents it, earns His wrath.'
at-Tirmidh|
Thus, from the numerous A#\d|th mentioned, we learn that illness or
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