Concealing from an old man the news of his fatal illness

15-11-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Asalam Alaikum My grandfather is an old man and he has recently been diagnosed with cancer. The tumor is big and he needs to take chemotherapy. His sons and other family decided to not tell him that he has cancer because they think he will be scared and his health might get worse and die. They did tell him he has a sac and he needs medicine and everything that he will go through without telling him what he has. He agreed to the medicine (chemo). I feel like it was wrong of them to not tell him the truth. He's the head of a household, he still makes decisions in his house. He should have a right to know. It might help him even remember death more and do more good deeds. Was it wrong for them to keep this Information from him, that he has cancer?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The matter differs according to people’s different conditions and circumstances. Informing a cancer patient of his health condition often brings about negative consequences given that cancer is a fatal disease. The morale of the patient might be one of the most significant factors of recovery from such an illness. If this is the case with your grandfather, then it is better not to inform him of his illness. It was a good decision not to inform him. The fact that he is the head of the household and is still making decisions in the house does not necessitate informing him of his illness or doing what is against his best interests.

The benefits reaped by informing him of his illness so that he would be reminded of death and the Hereafter can be attained without informing him of his illness which would incur harm on him. Therefore, it is advisable that you remind him of the virtues of drawing nearer to Allaah by carrying out righteous deeds, repenting of one’s sins, and hastening to good-doing. This is actually required of the Muslim individual who is in perfect health, let alone one afflicted with illness.

Allaah Knows best.