Protection from Afflictions
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh)
We have been taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that on seeing a sick person, we should read a specific Dua, the blessings of which are such that we will be protected from that same sickness.
So when we see a line of patients outside a hospital or we visit the sick, we quietly read the Dua:
“All praise is due to Allah who has saved me from that which He afflicted with you and gave me excellence over most of whom He created.”[1]
When we see a line of people cueing up in front of a cinema or engaging in sins, these people are spiritually sick.
We should read the same Dua, and we should also express gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for protecting us; otherwise, we could be in those same sins.
Added to this, make sincere Dua that Allah Ta’ala grants Hidayah (guidacne) to these people who are spiritually sick.
Just as we do not look down upon a person who is physically sick, we should not look down upon one indulging in sins. He is spiritually sick and in greater need of treatment and medication than the patient with physical ailments.
[1] This Dua should not be read aloud, such that the person hears, since it could hurt his feelings.