Forgotten Duty of Ayadat

Attending the ill, known as Ayadat, holds a central place in Islamic ethics. It reflects mercy, solidarity, and responsibility among believers. Islam treats care for the sick as a shared duty, not a personal choice. The Holy Quran repeatedly calls for compassion, kindness, and concern for one another. These values find clear expression in Ayadat. The Prophet Muhammad SAW placed great emphasis on visiting the sick. Several Hadiths state that when a believer visits an ill person, he walks among the gardens of Paradise until he returns. Another Hadith describes Allah asking a servant why he did not visit a sick person, reminding him that he would have found Allah’s mercy with the ill. These teachings leave little room for neglect. Ayadat is worship. It strengthens bonds. It softens hearts. Ayadat is not limited to physical presence alone. It includes comforting words, sincere prayers, and practical help. A brief visit carries meaning. It reassures the ill that they are not alone. It reduces anxiety. It restores dignity. In Islam, illness is a test. Ayadat turns that test into a shared burden. It distributes pain. It multiplies reward. Kashmir has long been known for strong social ties rooted in faith and tradition. Visiting the sick was once instinctive. Neighbours, relatives, and acquaintances would arrive without invitation. Time was set aside. Priorities were clear. Over time, this practice has weakened. Despite being a largely Muslim society, many now avoid Ayadat. Busy routines, social distance, and misplaced notions of privacy have replaced obligation. This shift reflects a deeper erosion of lived Islamic values. Ayadat does not require wealth, status, or long hours. It requires intention. It requires empathy. Ignoring the sick weakens social fabric and spiritual consciousness. Faith does not thrive in isolation. It thrives in action. The Quran and Sunnah offer clarity. There is no ambiguity on this matter. Ayadat is a right of one Muslim over another. Neglecting it is not cultural change alone. It is a moral retreat. Kashmir must reflect on this loss. Reviving Ayadat means reviving concern. It means restoring trust. It means aligning daily conduct with faith. A society that remembers the sick remembers Allah. A society that forgets them risks forgetting its own foundations.