Under the Weather

There's always a bright side, even when sick.

I woke up with my joints creaking and my nose squeaking last week. My body wilted with fatigue and I wanted nothing more than to sleep the day away. It was hard to muster the willpower to do anything meaningful, so I tried searching for the bright side. I couldn’t help but notice how much I had to be grateful for. 

I was grateful to be in the comfort of my home, surrounded by my family. I remember being sick for the first time while living away at uni. I cried and cried until my eyes were raw and tissues were sandpaper. I had to take care of myself and bear the burden of school responsibilities. I remember sniffling my way to the library and as soon as I found a corner to myself, I cried some more. Out of pain. Frustration. Sadness. I opened up Youtube to distract myself with a video and suddenly my tears paused and my eyes widened. I don’t remember what the video was about, but I remember the girl saying that being sick is a blessing because it wipes out our sins. In that moment, I felt so seen and validated for the pain I was going through. I felt comforted and reassured not just from the revelation, but also from the sharp realization that Allah sent me that video and that He was right beside me. I started crying again, but this time with tears of joy. Every time I’m sick, this hadith and the memory of how I learnt it, brings me comfort.

Don't curse fever for it expiates the sin of the children of Adam just as furnaces remove impurities in the alloy of iron. (Sahih Muslim, 2575)

I feel so close to Allah when I’m sick because I spend more time remembering Him. I feel motivated like never before to make dua at every opportunity begging for better health and jump with gratitude for every minute improvement I notice. Nothing reminds me more of my body’s blessings like being sick.

I was hyperaware of these blessings when I made the intention to spend my time meaningfully in an effort not to bed rot. And Subhan’Allah, the barakah I felt was surreal. Despite my weakness, I wasn't productively paralyzed. I got through my major tasks with more vigour and competence than I was anticipating. I had a sharp mind from sleeping deeply since my body was exhausted from the infection.

While my body was fighting an inner battle with germs, it reminded me of how my immune system was becoming stronger. Sickness is not just a spiritual blessing, but also a physical one. Being exposed to germs is how we build immunity against them. 

The immune system is intricate and complicated, but it has two main parts: the innate and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system is the first line of defense. This can include physical barriers like our skin and mucus but also immune cells who are like police officers. They respond to the threat of invasive germs and try to remove them. If they can’t, they recruit the adaptive immune system which are like the FBI and military.

There are many cells in our defense repertoire that fight infections and protect us from future ones. Our immune system gets stronger with every infection we face. Children haven’t experienced enough germs to have a robust immune system which is why every common germ makes them sick. As adults, we have more experience so our body knows how to protect against more germs. But even germs keep evolving so we, too, get sick every now and then to stay strong. No trial comes from Allah that doesn’t have some benefit in it.

Reflecting on the blessings of my body and how much I had to be grateful for, made the experience a little easier. In case you’re also under the weather, I found this fun personality quiz to lift your spirits. It tells you which immune cell you are and what that says about you.

I’d love to know, which immune cell did you get and what does it mean?! I got a memory B cell, apparently it means I’m a creative problem solver and can be trusted with my extensive knowledge!

P.S. If you want to learn more about some immune cells and their functions, here’s a little guide!