Home › Islamic Manners › Ill Express Complaints
It is recommended that when asked about our condition, a sick person should start by thanking Allah and then proceed to list his complaints. This is to avoid the appearance of complaining of Allah's will. This was the etiquette of the followers as reported by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi in his Tarikh Baghdad in the biography of Abdul Rahman al-Tabib who was the physician of imam Ahmad and Bishr al-Hafi. Abdul Rahman said both Imam Ahmad and Bishr became sick and were treated at the same place. 'When I visited Bishr, I asked how he felt, and with thanks to Allah first, he then proceeded saying I have this pain or that complaint. When i visited imam Ahmad and asked how he felt, he would say 'i feel all right.' one day i told him, 'your brother Bishr is also ill, but when i ask him of his conditions, he thanks Allah first, then tells me his condition. Imam Ahmad said, 'please ask him from where did he get this.' I answered, 'his presence makes me reluctant to ask.' imam Ahmad said, 'tell him your brother, Abu Abdillah asks from where did you get this.' Abdul Rahman asked Bishr as told. Bishr said, 'Abu Abdillah wants everything with authority. I heard this from Azhar who heard it from ibn Aoun who heard it from ibn Sireen; 'if a person thanked Allah before complaining, it will not be a complaint but as if telling the acts of Allah.' Abdul Rahman said, 'I told this to imam Ahmad. After that, if asked how he felt, he would start by thanking Allah, and then describing his complaints.'
The answer of Bishr indicates that when asked about their health, the sick preferably should praise Allah first then explain their complaints. By this approach, it is not considered complaining against the acts of Allah.
Importance Of Appearance
Distinct Muslim Personality
Cleanliness And Washing
Arriving From A Journey
Dress Properly With Family And Friends
Entering Or Leaving A House
How-to-enter
Entering While Others Are Asleep
Greeting
Announcing Your Presence
Seeking Permission To Enter
Knocking And Ringing
Answering 'Who Is It?'
The Manners Of Visiting
Keeping Appointments, Delays And Cancellation
Declining A Visit
Control Your Eyes
Removing Your Shoes
Choosing A Seat
A Visitor Is Not An Inspector
Timing Your Visit
Greeting
Sitting Between Two Persons
The Host's Duties And The Guests' Rights
Stay In Touch
A Brief Advice To My Sisters
The Manners Of Conversation
Selecting Suitable Topics
Talk In A Suitable Tone
The Art Of Listening
Discussions And Debates
Swearing By Allah
Answering A Question
Social Manners
Respect And Favour The Elderly
The Elderly Are To Lead Prayers
Walking With The Elderly
The Elderly Are To Be Served First
Manners With Parents
Tell Your Family Your Whereabouts
Respect The Poor
Dealing With Non-muslims
Manners Of Eating
The Importance Of Eating Manners
Manners Of Eating
Manners Of Drinking
Avoid Gluttony
Gold And Silver Cutlery
Weddings
Weddings Are Part Of The Prophet's Tradition
The Manners Of Attending Weddings
Visiting The Sick
Visiting A Patient
Praying For The Sick
The Length Of The Visit
The Manners Of Visiting A Patient
How The Ill Express Their Complaints
Condolence
Breaking Unpleasant News
Expressing Condolences Is A Courtesy And A Duty
Expressing Condolences And Sympathy
Sending Flowers And Reading Quran During Funerals
A Final Word