Q: I write to you in regards to my mother who has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Doctors have said she’ll receive treatment (chemotherapy) and thereafter surgery because it is treatable.
Myself and my siblings have been very upset and anxious since knowing the diagnosis. We are supportive of each other.
I would just like to know what can be done to ease this difficult time for us, and my mother as treatment can be heavy both physically and mentally in such cases I am completely overcome by anxiety.
A: The Islamic teaching is that one should be pleased with the decree of Allah Ta'ala in all situations and one should try to be of help and service to the sick patient who is undergoing the difficulty.
One should give the patient hope and pick up his morale and spirit as this will give him courage and assist him in his recovery process. One should understand that just as life and death is in the sole control of Allah Ta'ala, similarly health and illness is also in His sole control. Therefore, one should turn to Allah Ta'ala in dua and beg Allah Ta'ala to bless the sick person with recovery and good health.
Whether the sick person will recover from the illness or pass away through the illness, this is known best to Allah Ta'ala and no person has knowledge of the future. However, in order for one to become successful in the test which Allah Ta'ala has brought upon him, one should be concerned about fulfilling the command of Allah Ta'ala in that situation.
Therefore, you and your siblings should be at the side of your ailing and sick mother and ensure that you all serve her and nurse her to the best of your ability with happiness so that Allah Ta'ala becomes pleased with you and you earn the duas of your mother. Undoubtedly, the successful ones are those who will please Allah Ta'ala through fulfilling the rights they owe to the sick patient at this critical time.
Though a servant should not ask for sickness, but if sickness is decreed, then one should make sabr upon it and hope for reward from Allah Ta'ala for the sickness as sickness is a great blessing of Allah Ta'ala for the sick person as well as for all those who will serve the sick to the best of their ability.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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