Disabled Muslims Australia

Caring for terminally ill Muslims

 

"Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return." (verse 2:156, Chapter 2 Surah Al Baqarah, The Quran)

 

Terminal illness is the presence of a disease which will cause death in spite of any treatment. A person may be terminal for a long time.

 

Etiquettte of visiting the sick

When you visit a person affected by terminal illness you should remember that it may be a strain on their health to host your visit for a substantial time period, and you should openly ask the person to tell you how long is appropriate for them, and to tell you when they need to rest. For such reasons you should also ask before visiting to ascertain the most appropriate time.

 

Terminal illness is a scary and emotional time for everyone, regardless of how strong one's faith is. You should not judge the fear, sadness or other emotions that a person is experiencing. Even the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) cried and expressed great sorrow upon the death of his son Ibrahim, as one example (reported by Anas bin Malik in Sahih Bukhari).

It can be comforting to talk about the mercy and blessings of Allah (swt). The person should be encouraged to complete Islamic duties, such as catching up on missed prayers and fulfilling debts, and endeavour to build their good deeds, as their condition allows. They should be encouraged to seek the forgiveness of those they have wronged and attempt to make up for these wrongs. As the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated in the days leading up to his death, "He whom I have ever lashed his back, I offer him my back so that he may avenge himself on me. He whom I have ever blasphemed his honour, here I am offering my honour so that he may avenge himself" (al-Mubarakpuri p. 212).

 

Du'a to say for a terminally ill Muslim

اذهب الباس رب الناس واشف انت الشافي لا شفاء الا شفاءك شفاء لا يغادر سقما

‘Azhibil ba’sa rabbannaasi, washfi antashaafi, la shifaa’a illa shifaa ouka, shifaa an laa yughaadirus saqama’

"Remove all harm, oh Allah of the people, cure him for you are the curer. There is none that gives cure except you, such cure that leaves no sickness at all" (Muslim vol 2 p. 222).

 

Talking and Counselling

It is helpful for those affected persons to have someone to talk to about their feelings. Such people can include an imam. There are also counsellors and psychologists who specialise in issues surrounding terminal illness, grief and loss. Upon contacting Disabled Muslims Australia we can also provide you with the details of some Muslim counsellors if preferred. Education materials for non-Muslim counsellors can be provided by Disabled Muslims Australia upon request.

 

Palliative Care

There is a good deal of education materials written for non-muslim palliative care providers to assist them in caring for a Muslim. If you, or anyone else, requires palliative care you may ask if the provider has read such material. If they have not then Disabled Muslims Australia may be contacted to provide them with these materials.

 

References:

al-Mubarakpuri, S. 2002, Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar), Darussalam, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.