💯 Miscellaneous benefits from Yemen

BENEFIT 54: If I visit someone who suffers from anxiety, do I get the reward of visiting the sick? QUESTIONER: (may Allāh preserve him and bless him with a righteous wife): “I had a question about this Ḥadīth: Abū Hurairah reported: The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Who among you has woken up today fasting?” The Prophet said, “Who among you has followed a funeral procession?” Abū Bakr said, “I have.” The Prophet said, “Who among you has fed a needy person?” Abū Bakr said, “I have.” The Prophet said, “Who among you has visited a sick person?” Abū Bakr said, “I have.” The Prophet said, “These deeds are not combined in someone but that they will enter Paradise.” [S‌ah‌i‌h‌ Muslim (1028)] Does visiting the sick also include people who may be going through a hard time such as sadness or anxiety?” ANSWER: [Sheikh Abdullāh ibn Lamḥ Al-Khawlāni ḥafidhahullāh] What is apparent from the Ḥadīth is that the ruling is confined to visiting the sick, so those suffering from sadness or anxiety do not fall under this category. For example, if you went to extend your condolences to someone who has just lost a child, this is not considered visiting the sick; although the person may be experiencing great anxiety. However, if you visit someone who suffers from anxiety or sadness due to a mental illness, then in this case the Ḥadīth is applicable - not because of the anxiety, but the underlying mental illness.