• Ghatif ibn al-Harith radhiyallahu anhu said that a man came to Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah radhiyallahu anhu while he was in pain and asked, “What is the reward of the amir?” Abu ‘Ubaydah radhiyallahu anhu said, “Do you know that for which you will be rewarded?” The man replied, “We will be rewarded for things which happen to us which we dislike.” Abu ‘Ubaydah radhiyallahu anhu said, “Rather you will be rewarded for what you spend in the Cause of Allah and what is spent on you. Then there is a reckoning for all parts of the saddle, even the horse’s bridle. Allah will remove your errors from you for the sake of this fatigue which has afflicted your bodies.”

• Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “A Muslim does not encounter fatigue, tiredness, concern, sorrow, injury or grief, or even a thorn which pricks him without Allah expiating his errors for him by that.”

• ‘Abdur Rahman ibn Sa‘eed radhiyallahu anhu reported that his father said, “I was with Salman radhiyallahu anhu when he visited a sick person in Kinda. When he went in, he said, “Good news! Allah makes the illness of the believer an expiation for him and a restoration, whereas the illness of the corrupt person is like a camel whose people hobble it and the let it go. It does not know why it was hobbled or released.”

• Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Affliction will continue to trouble the believers, men and women, in their bodies, their families, and their property until they meet Allah purified of every wrong action.” Another transmission adds, “and in their children.”

• Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu said, “A bedouin came and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam asked, “Has Umm Mildam (fever) got hold of you?” “What is Umm Mildam?” he asked. He said, “The heat between the skin and the flesh.” The bedouin said, “No.” He asked, “Have you got a headache?” “What is headache?” the man asked. He replied, “A wind which appears in the head and beats the veins.” “No,” he said, “When he stood up, he said, “Whoever wants to look at a man who is one of the people of the Fire,” i.e. “let them look at that man.”

• Hisham radhiyallahu anhu reported that his father (‘Urwa ibn az-Zubayr radhiyallahu anhu) said, “Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr radhiyallahu anhu and I went to visit Asma’ radhiyallahu anhu ten nights before ‘Abdullah radhiyallahu anhu was killed. Asma’ radhiyallahu anhu was in pain and ‘Abdullah radhiyallahu anhu asked her, “How are you feeling?” “In pain,” she replied. He said, “I am near death.” She said, “Perhaps you desire my death and that is the reason you desire it? Do not do that. By Allah, I do not want to die until I reach one of the two ends: either you will be killed and I will leave you to Allah or you will win and I will be content. Beware of having your portion presented to you and then you do not agree with it. Accept it, even though you dislike death.” Ibn az-Zubayr meant that he would be killed and that would grieve her.

• Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri radhiyallahu anhu reported that he came to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam while he had a fever. He had a covering over him. He placed his hand on him and discovered that it was hot above the covering. Abu Sa‘eed radhiyallahu anhu exclaimed, “How hot your fever is, Messenger of Allah!” He said, “We are like that. The affliction is hard on us, but the reward is doubled for us.” He said, “Messenger of Allah, which people have the greatest affliction?” He replied, “The Prophets, and then the righteous. One of them was tested by poverty to such an extent that he could only find a robe to cover himself with and he wore it. Another was tested by fleas until they killed him. They have greater joy in affliction than one of you has in gifts.”

• Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah radhiyallahu anhu said, “I was ill, and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam came with Abu Bakr radhiyallahu anhu to visit me. They came on foot. They found that I had fainted, so the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam did wudu’ and then poured his wudu’ water on me. I came to and Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was there. I asked, “Messenger of Allah, what should I do with my property? Give me a judgement regarding my property.” He did not give me any answer until the verse of inheritance was revealed.”

• Usama ibn Zayd radhiyallahu anhu reported that a child of one of the daughters of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was very ill. His mother sent word to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam to say that her child was dying. He told the messenger, “Go and tell her that to Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives. Everything is with Him until a stated term. She should be patient and leave him to Allah.” The messenger went back and told her. She sent to him again to plead with him to come. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam got up with a group of his Companions, including Sa’d ibn ‘Ubada radhiyallahu anhu. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam took the child and put him on his breast. The child was shaking like a leaf against his chest. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam wept and Sa’d radhiyallahu anhu said, “Do you weep, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “I weep out of compassion for the child. Allah only shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful.”