Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/94

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SELECTIONS FROM MUḤAMMADAN TRADITIONS

It is related from Anas that he said, 'A Jewish boy used to wait on the Prophet, and he fell sick. And the Prophet came to visit him and sat down near his head. And he said to him, "Become a Muslim." And the boy looked towards his father, who was near him. He said, "Obey the father of Qásim (i.e. Muḥammad)." Then he embraced Islám. And the Prophet went out saying, "Praise be to God, who has saved him from the fire."'—Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Yaḥya bin Saʿíd that he said, 'Verily death came to a man in the time of the Apostle of God. And a certain man said, "He was fortunate. He died without being afflicted with disease." The Apostle of God replied, "Alas on thee! Who told thee? If God had tormented him with disease, it would have made expiation for his sins."'—Málik.

It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When the sins of a servant (of God) increase, and he has no works wherewith to make expiation for them, then God afflicts him with grief in order to make expiation for him."'—Aḥmad.

It is related from Thawbán that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When fever attacks any one of you—and verily fever is a part of the fire—then let him extinguish it with water; and let him immerse himself in a flowing river, and let him face the current and say, 'In the name of God. O God, cure Thy servant and establish the truthfulness of Thine Apostle.' (This should be done) after the morning prayer and before the rising of the sun. And let him plunge himself in it in three immersions for three days. And if he is not well in three, then let him do it for five days; and if he is not cured in five, then let him do it for seven; and if he is not cured in seven, then for nine. For verily it scarcely ever exceeds nine, by the permission of God, the Exalted and Magnified."—At Tirmidhí.

It is related from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb that, 'The Apostle of God said, " When thou enterest in to a sick person, command him to pray for thee, for verily his supplication is like the supplication of the angels."'—Ibn Májah.

On Wishing for Death

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Let not any one of you wish for death; the good man