What is the ruling on visiting the sick, and what are the etiquettes of such a visit?

Visiting the sick involves frequent visits. Some scholars are of the view that it is an emphasized Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), while others have chosen that it is Fard Kifayah (a collective obligation), which is the correct view.

Many hadiths have been reported regarding its virtue, such as: "When a Muslim visits his Muslim brother, he continues to be in the khurfat al-Jannah (the fruit-picking of Paradise) until he returns." And: "Whoever visits a sick person or visits a brother for the sake of Allah, a caller calls out to him: 'You are good, and your walking is good, and you have taken a dwelling in Paradise.'" And: "Whoever visits a sick person, he continues to wade in mercy until he sits, and when he sits, he is immersed in it." And: "There is no Muslim who visits a Muslim in the morning except that seventy thousand angels supplicate for him until the evening, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels supplicate for him until the morning, and he will have khareef (a harvest) in Paradise."

Visiting the sick applies to those whose illness confines them from being present among people. It is legislated for both those one knows and those one does not know.

There is no harm in a man visiting a non-mahram woman, or vice versa, if the conditions of covering (modesty), safety from temptation, and absence of seclusion are met.

It is permissible to visit a non-believer if a benefit results from it, such as inviting him to Islam.

It is desirable not to prolong sitting with the sick person and not to repeat the visit daily, unless the sick person prefers it. There is no specific time for visiting mentioned in the Sunnah.

The visitor should supplicate for the sick person with what has been reported in the Sunnah, such as: "No harm, it is a purification, Allah willing," and: "Remove the suffering, O Lord of mankind, and heal, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness." And he should ask about his condition and put him at ease regarding his lifespan.