By Mufti Saheb

As-Salaamu-alaikum

I need to know how a Muslim husband is supposed to look after his ill wife who unfortunately contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion and is married to him for 23 years. What happens when mother-in- law puts the husband up? How should he treat his ill wife?

Dear Sister
As-Salaamu-Alaikum

If the husband had to become ill in a similar way, the wife would care for him; so too the husband should arrange care for his wife in her illness.

According to his means he should arrange such care that makes her as comfortable as possible, especially offering her words of support and courage. This is a humane, moral duty. The mother-in-law should not put the husband up against his wife. She should be sympathetic and should consider her daughter-in-law as her own daughter. Surely she would not like such a situation for her own daughter? Kindness and sympathy towards the ill is strongly advocated in Islam. Do continue to exercise Sabr under all circumstances and place your matter before Allah through dua. The days of this world are few and soon relief will come from all suffering through maut, provided Allah is pleased with us. The suffering of this world, when seeing the rewards in the Hereafter, will wish they had suffered even more to reap more rewards! May Allah make it easy for you.

Was-Salaam

Mufti Z Bayat.

*****************************************************************************************

Further Advise to the Sister:

(Recently we posted an article obout a SISTER SUFFERING WITH AIDS and received some positive responses from our e-newsletter subscribers.

We thank them and would like to make their comments/advices available to all. Shukran. Webmaster)

Kindly send this note to the anonymus sister "MAY ALLAH SHOWER YOU WITH SABR MAY HE GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO ENDURE ALL THAT HE HAS WILLED FOR YOU AND MAY YOU BE REWARDED WITH JANATIL FIRDAUS. AMIN"

SISTER IN ISLAM

*****************************************************************************************

Another reader wrote:
Dear Mufti Bayat,
Asala-mualaikum and your reply to the sister is a valid one indeed

However, I would like to add the following;

1. If the couple is unable to afford counseling and treatment if this was necessary, then the Muslim community needs to make some arrangement for this to be available. Baitul Firdous does excellent counseling from the Islamic perspective.
Also if medication is required then as a community we need to provide this too. Here the Muslim Aids Program is looking into the matter.

2.As far as she contracting the virus from a blood transfusion is concerned, if this could be proved then there would be case against the relevant institution and they would have to provide the aftercare of the sister. One does not accept to get the virus after a blood transfusion.

3. HIV and AIDS is like any life threatening condition or illness and couples must be prepared to take care of each other. In fact it should be the responsibility of the Muslim community as an ummah. Even where either partner was responsible and contracted the condition from an unislamic situation, Muslims need to forgive, as Allah(swt) is the ultimate healer and forgiver of all sins except one of associating partners with Him.
Salaams
 

(Dr.) Mahomed Solwa, IMA

*****************************************************************************************

Another reader wrote
Dear Mufti Bayat
 

Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmutullahi Wa Barakatu Hu It is sad that this is not the only instance of its kind and also other similar scenarios exist within our local Muslim Ummah. Education, knowledge, wisdom and virtue would have prepared both the husband and the mother-in-law for a different response to ALLAH's tests. Anyway, can you not refer this sister to the Islamic Careline and the Muslim Aids Program who are doing an excellent job in this area of work.

They have developed tremendous experience and expertise

(ALHAMDOLILLAH) in dealing with many difficult situations that have arisen with this epidemic that leaves no one out of danger as can be seen in the instance of this unfortunate sister. Jazakallah-Khairan.
 

Dr Yakub Essack

Article taken (with Thanks) from Darul-Ihsan Research and Education Center