What does Allah say about sickness in Al Quran? Bad? Good?

PixelAngelBaby

Salam all,

Ive been suffering from some Disease conditions for a while now and since I left sunnism, I am no longer sure what Allah says about those afflicted with illness. I tried searching the Quran but couldnt find what i was looking for, perhaps someone picked up on something I missed.

In Sunnism, I had read that a person who gets pricked by a thorn, or sick, or afflicted with depression , Allah forgives that persons sins to some extent. Im paraphrasing a hadith.

So since thats out the window...

What does the Quran say?

Is it a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment?

neb87

The only verses I'm aware of that say anything on the subject are the ones that state we're only responsible for our own personal capabilities. When believers were called to fight in His name, the ones who stayed behind due to illness were not guilty as compared to the able-bodied who had no good reason to stay behind.

As for whether it's "a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment", I can only offer my personal interpretation of two verses

(QXP)
2214
Or, do you expect to enter the Garden (or regain your lost Paradise) without facing
challenges as came to those who passed before you? Hardship and adversity
befell them, and so shaken were they that the Messenger and the believers with
him, cried, ?When will the help of God come?? But, (once the revolution gets
going) God?s help is near.

2216
Fighting in self-defense is ordained for you, even though it is hateful to you. But it may
happen that you hate a thing that is good for you, and it may happen that you
love a thing that is bad for you. God knows and you know not.

To me, verse 2214 is Good News to anyone struggling with any kind of adversity. No matter how hard things may get, you must remember that it is only an earthly challenge from a Loving God to help you grow before reaching Paradise. And even when it feels like it's too much to bear or you feel alone, you must remember that a Loving God is always near.

To give my opinion of your question; I interpret the emphasized portion of 2216 as saying that while no one would love being ill, there is always the chance that God will turn this thing you hate (illness) into something good for you.

The reason I hold this interpretation is based on personal experience. I just recently turned 26 and I've suffered from atypical depression since I was 11. So far, no form of treatment has permanently staved off the symptoms of this illness. Because it's atypical, there are long stretches where I'm perfectly fine but this used to only draw attention to the contrast. I'm a normally upbeat, optimistic person, but the bouts of depression and the realization that treatment was not working was beginning to take it's toll on me. I was starting to fall into a "woe-is-me" mindset and question how I could possibly deserve to live with something so hateful.

It was right around that time that I first found the Quran. After a reading, I was lying in bed and going over some of the hardships I've faced and again questioning how any of it could be fair but now also questioning if there could even be a God when people suffer unfairly. I can't really explain what happened but a thought just hit me like a thunderbolt

My approach is incorrect!

I had been looking at my hardships and questioning how I deserved it considering I was a good person, but in that moment it all went topsy-turvy, and I saw that it was BECAUSE of my hardships that I strove to be a good person in the first place! As I've said, I've struggled with depression since I was a child, so in the years that my personality was forming, I had firsthand knowledge of what it's like to feel alone. The effects this had on me were clear. Throughout my teen years, my nickname was "Butterfly", as in school I would always flit around the lunchroom to sit with people who were eating alone rather than staying with one crowd. I was always the first one to befriend the "new kid". As an adult, I'm extra-sensitive to anyone who I think might feel lonely, and always try to make a connection with them.

So, for the first time in my life, I looked back on the negative (hateful) things and saw them clearly as the source for all the good things that I love about myself. That was when I knew that I had to stick with this "Quran stuff" as I'd never had my perspective changed so quickly and thoroughly by anything else in my whole life.

Bender

Salam all,

Ive been suffering from some Disease conditions for a while now and since I left sunnism, I am no longer sure what Allah says about those afflicted with illness. I tried searching the Quran but couldnt find what i was looking for, perhaps someone picked up on something I missed.

In Sunnism, I had read that a person who gets pricked by a thorn, or sick, or afflicted with depression , Allah forgives that persons sins to some extent. Im paraphrasing a hadith.

So since thats out the window...

What does the Quran say?

Is it a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment?

Salaam,

When I read this I just remembered the next verses.

2678 "The One who has created me, He will guide me."
2679 "And He is the One who feeds me and gives me to drink."
2680 "And if I am sick, He is the One who cures me."
2681 "And the One who will make me die and then bring me to life."
2682 "And the One whom I hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Judgment."

Please note that ONLY on sickness Ibrahim does not assign that to Allah.
I haven't studied this at all, this is just the first thing that came in my mind.

Salaam and may Allah cure you pr
Bender

supportpeacenotwar

Salam all,

Ive been suffering from some Disease conditions for a while now and since I left sunnism, I am no longer sure what Allah says about those afflicted with illness. I tried searching the Quran but couldnt find what i was looking for, perhaps someone picked up on something I missed.

In Sunnism, I had read that a person who gets pricked by a thorn, or sick, or afflicted with depression , Allah forgives that persons sins to some extent. Im paraphrasing a hadith.

So since thats out the window...

What does the Quran say?

Is it a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment?

I personally view these things as lessons, challenges and like you said, they can be blessings in disguise.

I don't think we should assume something is a punishment or forgiveness, it may simply be a lesson. If we want to repent and seek forgiveness, I believe as soon as we ask Allah - He will forgive because He is Oft-Forgiving and He understands exactly why we do things. I am reminded of Prophet Ayub and his patience (2183-84) and (2155-157). I think one thing we really learn is patience - whatever the particular situation may be. May Allah bless you and I pray for your recovery and may He bless all the believers with His Mercy and with strength.

IAMOP

It did not beseem the people of Medina and those round about them of the dwellers of the desert to remain behind the Messenger of Allah, nor should they desire (anything) for themselves in preference to him; this is because there afflicts them not thirst or fatigue or hunger in Allah's way, nor do they tread a path which enrages the unbelievers, nor do they attain from the enemy what they attain, but a good work is written down to them on account of it; surely Allah does not waste the reward of the doers of good;

mmkhan

Salam all,

Ive been suffering from some Disease conditions for a while now and since I left sunnism, I am no longer sure what Allah says about those afflicted with illness. I tried searching the Quran but couldnt find what i was looking for, perhaps someone picked up on something I missed.

In Sunnism, I had read that a person who gets pricked by a thorn, or sick, or afflicted with depression , Allah forgives that persons sins to some extent. Im paraphrasing a hadith.

So since thats out the window...

What does the Quran say?

Is it a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment?

Salaam,

Red and Blue Why call it FORGIVENESS when you are already suffering! Forgive means to cancel your bad/sins and clean your account without suffering. If you are suffering, it means you are getting punished for your deeds, so how could it be called forgiveness.

To understand it better, please take a look at this. InshaAllah, it may help you understand better what I am talking about.

May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan

PixelAngelBaby

Thanks everyone. I will take everything you have cited into consideration. -) . Mmkhan, i had a feeling it might be punishment, but i would like to think it is 2214. I hope so. Allahu A'lam.
If anyone else has any citations, keep em coming. Im sure others have wandered about this.

mmkhan

Thanks everyone. I will take everything you have cited into consideration. -) . Mmkhan, i had a feeling it might be punishment, but i would like to think it is 2214. I hope so. Allahu A'lam.
If anyone else has any citations, keep em coming. Im sure others have wandered about this.

Salaam PAB,

Red I agree with you handshake

May Allah increase our knowledge and correct us when we are wrong in our understanding pr
mmKhan

Pops

I'm not sure if it's supported by the Quran itself, but I do think it makes sense that sins are alleviated when you're undergoing any sort of struggle as long as you are following the principles of Islam while doing so.

Emil

Salam all,

Ive been suffering from some Disease conditions for a while now and since I left sunnism, I am no longer sure what Allah says about those afflicted with illness. I tried searching the Quran but couldnt find what i was looking for, perhaps someone picked up on something I missed.

In Sunnism, I had read that a person who gets pricked by a thorn, or sick, or afflicted with depression , Allah forgives that persons sins to some extent. Im paraphrasing a hadith.

So since thats out the window...

What does the Quran say?

Is it a blessing in disguise, forgiveness, or punishment?

A few years ago my sister went to Egypt on a class trip. While sitting (she is in a wheelchair) outside the hotel waiting for the bus this egyptian man (yes, muslim) came up to her and told her she was in a wheelchair because of Allah had punished her....

Meh?

You will not find one specific verse that will give you the answer......The Quran can give you the answer....

Maybe I am drawing the wrong conclusion here, but you have been sick since you left sunnism and now you are asking about Allah handing out punishments in way of diseases.....So you are wondering if your sickness is a punishment because you left sunnism?

If my above statement is right please read below

Ask yourself
When has Allah punished people by death, hunger or disease?
What are their crimes?
Have you committed any of these crimes?

Answer is in the Quran

es

A few years ago my sister went to Egypt on a class trip. While sitting (she is in a wheelchair) outside the hotel waiting for the bus this egyptian man (yes, muslim) came up to her and told her she was in a wheelchair because of Allah had punished her....

nope Sickening.

PixelAngelBaby

A few years ago my sister went to Egypt on a class trip. While sitting (she is in a wheelchair) outside the hotel waiting for the bus this egyptian man (yes, muslim) came up to her and told her she was in a wheelchair because of Allah had punished her....

Meh?

You will not find one specific verse that will give you the answer......The Quran can give you the answer....

Maybe I am drawing the wrong conclusion here, but you have been sick since you left sunnism and now you are asking about Allah handing out punishments in way of diseases.....So you are wondering if your sickness is a punishment because you left sunnism?

If my above statement is right please read below

Ask yourself
When has Allah punished people by death, hunger or disease?
What are their crimes?
Have you committed any of these crimes?

Answer is in the Quran

Omg he said that your sis, how rude!

No it hasnt been since i left sunnism. Ive had it for years. But i recently got some tests done and foud out how bad things really are, its my fault i ignored it for so long. So..no?

Im guessing their crimes were shirk, homosexuality (maybe not sure) and corruption in the land? Excuse my deficient knowledge.

Emil

Omg he said that your sis, how rude!

No it hasnt been since i left sunnism. Ive had it for years. But i recently got some tests done and foud out how bad things really are, its my fault i ignored it for so long. So..no?

Im guessing their crimes were shirk, homosexuality (maybe not sure) and corruption in the land? Excuse my deficient knowledge.

Sorry sis for the assumption I made about you leaving sunnism and getting sick and all. Sorry to hear about your discomfort.

Eventhough we might have a difference of opinion about what the crime is (you said homosexuality versus I say definately not) there is something that we all can agree upon. Namely what all these "crimes" have in common. So far the only thing I can see is that they all in some way deny Allah or peoples freedom to believe in Allah. The lewd people of Lot denied him as a prophet of Allah, the people stopping people from doing the Hajj would have been stricken down if not for prophet Muhammed being around....just two examples that I can think of on top of my head.....but you get what I mean. It is a bit tricky because in the Quran some parts are allegorical, so a story about Allah striking down people because of their sins cannot be automatically be taken literally.

Shirk is.....different. That is the only sin not forgivable by Allah (on judgement day).

So unless you are not actively trying to stop Allah or not letting people believe in him you will not be punished here on earth. jedi

If you are just trying to find your way and during that you go against Allah, then He will (hopefully) forgive on judgement day......But He will definately not punish you while alive

2286 God does not burden a soul except with what it can bear. For it is what it earns, and against it is what it earns. "Our Lord, do not mind us if we forget or make mistakes; our Lord, do not place a burden upon us as You have placed upon those before us; our Lord, do not place upon us what we cannot bear; pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us; You are our patron, so grant us victory over the disbelieving people."

When it comes to Allah testing you is however very clear in the Quran. Best to look at

http//www.quran-islam.org/articles/part_3/human_suffering_(P1381).html

mmkhan

Salaam,

How do we understand this...

3036
3036 And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein, but if evil afflicts them for what their hands have put forth, immediately they despair.

Other translations of 3036. Please also check 462, 2847 and 4248.

May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan

youssef4342

Neb87 I love your answer
may i ask, what is your conditions?

Well Hardship/bad times could fall into 4 catagories.

Blessings in disguise (God afflicting people so that they could come back to him)
Punishment (for blatently doing wrong)
Test (Remember Job)
a consequence of a mistake done (2026) ^

PixelAngelBaby

Neb87 I love your answer
may i ask, what is your conditions?

Well Hardship/bad times could fall into 4 catagories.

Blessings in disguise (God afflicting people so that they could come back to him)
Punishment (for blatently doing wrong)
Test (Remember Job)
a consequence of a mistake done (2026) ^

Makes me wonder if sickness is just a consequence of not taking care of ourselves. But if I were to try and prove this..I would need to find a verse in the quran where Allah commands us to take care of our bodies, and perhaps if He mentions consequences that follow if we didn't listen..

Salaam,

How do we understand this...

3036
3036 And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein, but if evil afflicts them for what their hands have put forth, immediately they despair.

Other translations of 3036. Please also check 462, 2847 and 4248.

May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan

Well wouldn't we need to find a verse that shows sickness=evil, for this verse to apply to illness?

PixelAngelBaby