JAKARTA — If the gift of health is God’s way of testing one’s gratitude, then the gift of illness is God’s way of testing one’s patience. Sometimes in this life, everyone feels healthy and sick. However, illness is not just a torturous physical condition.
According to the hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, “No Muslim is afflicted with an illness or other misfortune, but Allah will erase his sins.” In line with the meaning of the hadith, caring for the sick is not only a form of concern, but also a field of reward that is full of patience and sincerity.
Understanding the challenges faced by patients and their families, Dompet Dhuafa through Shelter Sehati continues to strive to ease their burden, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan. Dompet Dhuafa once again held a Ramadan 1446 H Islamic Boarding School on Sunday (3/23/2025), at the Shelter Sehati shelter, Johar Baru, Central Jakarta.
Feby Saputra as the Coordinator of Shelter Sehati, in her opportunity stated that this activity aims to provide an increase in faith and piety for patients and patient companions at Shelter Sehati, so that fortitude and hope always accompany them in facing health tests.
“We want to foster a sense of brotherhood, then foster a sense of togetherness and a sense of solidarity to stay in touch with each other, feeling the same suffering, and we can mix and share together what our complaints are and what struggles are being made in treating the pain in him, right? We can all be together here, gathering and sharing together, and adding religious values,” said Feby.
The Ramadan 1446 H Crash Course at the Sehati Shelter not only provides Islamic guidance and mentoring, but also brings happiness through stories presented by Galuh Wulan Kencana. She tells the story of one of the Prophet’s Companions, Thalhah bin Ubaidillah. This story is expected to motivate those who are struggling for recovery.
“Praise be to God, today I am going to tell you the story of Thalhah bin Ubaidillah. hopefully it can be a motivation for everyone that there are many opportunities to enter heaven, one of which is the door when we are patient and when we are seriously ill, then also doing many acts of charity for the rest of our lives, so no matter how old we are as long as we practice kindness, we have a very good chance of entering heaven just like the people who died as martyrs,” Galuh added.
“I am very happy because there is an institution that cares for people who are struggling to recover from illness because they can be strong not only with the motivation from within them to fight, but also because they need the people around them to be a support system, so that they do not feel alone when facing all these problems,” added Galuh.
As felt by Dayang Pratiwi. This month of Ramadan has been a hopeful journey for Dayang, a mother from Aceh who has spent more than a month accompanying her child undergoing treatment in Jakarta.
Dayang’s daughter, Humaira (1), was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at the age of three months. New hope emerged when a week ago her daughter underwent surgery at a heart hospital. However, the recovery process is still a long one. They must also remain in Jakarta for routine check-ups.
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In the midst of this difficult journey, the existence of Shelter Sehati provides hope like light in the darkness for Dayang and her family. Previously, they had difficulty finding a shelter near the hospital. Praise God, the presence of Shelter Sehati has become a place that helps and facilitates temporary housing for Dayang and Humaira during the treatment process.
“Praise God, we are so grateful that we found out about this shelter. We work together with the people here, and because our child was sick, we were kind of down, but after being here and meeting new families, we are in high spirits again,” explained Dayang.
More than just a temporary residence, Shelter Sehati also provides spiritual support through the 1446 H Patient Crash Course Islamic Boarding School activity. Dayang finds this program very beneficial because it helps her refocus on religion in the midst of the trials she is facing.
“With this intensive Islamic boarding school, we can learn about religion again. Before, we weren’t focused on it, so deepening our knowledge of religion again. This intensive Islamic boarding school is very helpful to be able to share with friends here,” continued Dayang.
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In overseas without relatives, Shelter Sehati becomes a second family for Dayang and other patients. The moral support, facilities, and religious programs at this shelter provide strength for parents who are struggling for the recovery of their children.
“Thank you all and so on to the Shelter Sehati Shelter, it was very helpful for our child’s treatment. We are from outside the area and can be in Jakarta without family here and it helps a lot. Praise God and thank you for everything that has been done and our hope for our child is that they will always be healthy and able to share like others,” concluded Dayang. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Ronna