My (earnest, irate) thoughts

This is the best thing I have ever read that was written using a religious perspective on illness, suffering and death. It’s long, but it’s absolutely worth reading. God willing, one day I can have such a wonderful perspective on human mortality, particularly my own.

Some excerpts:
According to tradition, the prophet Muhammad had a neighbor who purposefully dumped trash on Muhammad’s doorstep and walkway. Once when Muhammad noticed that he didn’t have to wade through garbage to leave his house, he was seen soon after at the neighbor’s door — asking about their health and if he could be of service. This is the premium of helping the ill.

In one account, during Judgment, God will ask some people why when He was hungry they did not offer food, or when He was thirsty why they did not provide drink, or when He was ill why they did not visit. The response will, of course, be one of confusion: “Glory be to You, Lord of Reality — you are above such needs and suffering?!” The reply will be, “Yes, but you were aware that my servant here was hungry, and my servant there was thirsty, and my servant over there was ill, and through serving them, you would have found Me.”