Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 149

Permissibility of expressing feelings of agony in Serious Illness

باب جواز قول المريض‏:‏ أنا وجع أو شديد الوجع أو موعوك، أو وارأساه ونحو ذلك، وبيان أنه لا كراهة في ذلك إذا لم يكن علي التسخط وإظهار الجزع

Here Imam an-Nawawi reassures us about something many sick people feel guilty over: is it wrong to say out loud that you are in pain? This chapter answers no. A believer may say I am hurting, my head aches, I am unwell, as long as it is an honest description and not bitter complaint against Allah's decree or a display of despair (jaza').

The proof is the most powerful kind: the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself, his closest Companions, and his beloved wife all voiced their pain. Watch across these hadith how naming the hurt sits comfortably beside full submission to Allah, teaching us that patience is not pretending you feel nothing.

Hadith 914

Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ دخلت علي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم وهو يوعك، فمسسته، فقلت‏:‏ إنك لتوعك وعكاً شديداً فقال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إني أوعك كما يوعك رجلان منكم‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

I visited the Prophet ({ﷺ) while he was suffering. I said: "(O Messenger of Allah!) You suffer too much.'' He said, "Yes, I suffer as much as two men of you.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet acknowledged that his own suffering in illness was severe, teaching that admitting you are in real pain is not a weakness of faith.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 914 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 21

Hadith 915

Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ جاءني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعودني من وجع اشتد بي، فقلت‏:‏ بلغ بي ما ترى، وأنا ذو مال، ولايرثني إلا ابنتي، وذكر الحديث‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to visit me when I had a severe pain. I said: "I am suffering from such trouble as you are observing. I am a wealthy man and the only heir of mine is my daughter." (Then Sa'd narrated the whole incident). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Sa'd openly described his severe pain to the Prophet and spoke of his situation, showing that honestly telling a visitor how much you are hurting is acceptable.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 915 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 22

Hadith 916

Al-Qasim bin Muhammad reported 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said:

وعن القاسم بن محمد قال‏:‏ قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها‏:‏ وا رأساه فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏"‏بل أنا وا رأساه‏"‏ وذكر الحديث‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

"Oh, my head." (It was hurting due to pain.) Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Rather it is I who says: 'Oh, my headache."' (Then Al-Qasim narrated the complete narration). [Al- Bukhari].

In plain words

When Aishah voiced her headache, the Prophet gently shared that he too felt such pain, showing that naming our aches aloud is natural and blameless.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 916 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 23