More of this Feature • Part 1: Birth • Part 2: Daily Prayers • Part 3: Dietary Customs

Related Resources • Funerals in Islam • Elder Care • Basics of Islam

From Other Guides • Nursing • Death and Dying • Alternative Medicine • Men's Health • Women's Health

Elsewhere on the Web • For Health Care Providers • Medical Treatment in Islam • Health: An Islamic Perspective • Death & Dying in Islam

Introduction

Visiting the sick is a basic duty one Muslim has for another, and is not reserved only for close friends and family.  Consequently, the Muslim patient will often have many visitors.  For the Muslim, visiting a sick brother or sister in faith is a basic form of worship to bring one closer to God.

Muslim Concept of Death

For the Muslim, the whole of this life constitutes a trial and a test for the human by means of which his final destiny is determined.  For him, death is the return of the soul to its Creator, God, and the inevitability of death and the Hereafter is never far from his consciousness.  This serves to keep all of his life and deeds in perspective as he tries to live in preparedness for what is to come.

Spiritual Comfort

In times of distress or illness, the Muslim finds the greatest solace and comfort in the remembrance of God.  The severely ill person, who might be distracted by his pain, greatly appreciates a companion who can read the Qur'an to him and remind him of God.

Your assistance in notifying the nearest Islamic Center so that someone could come would be greatly appreciated.

Burial

The Muslim has been taught to treat the dead body with gentleness and respect.  Cremation is forbidden.  Rather, the body is cleaned, scented, and covered with a clean cloth for burial.  The body should be buried by Muslims as soon as possible.

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