[Repwailia]

On the 13th I was having stomach pains and went to the hospital (sorry brother Taliban ) they found I had an appendicitis and I had surgery to remove my appendix. Anyway, I told my dad not to tell anyone, implying do not tell anyone outside my immediate family. I had a few reasons for this,

1. My sister is getting married and I did not want to talk to every uncle and auntie about my surgery (it was painful and a horrible experience)
2. I hate to think of myself as wanting attention so I want to be content with only my family knowing about this
3. I would like to emulate my grandfather who was completely self reliant, never complained and hid his pain from others.

Now I am wondering if this is the right thing to do as my extended family called and they were upset that they were not told immediately. I also know that it is a major sunnah to visit the sickly, so in not telling people I am depriving the possibility that they would visit me/make dua for me, etc.

So my question is, what do you do in this situation, call loved ones and friends or keep it to yourself and your family

[malishka1025]

I also know that it is a major sunnah to visit the sickly, so in not telling people I am depriving the possibility that they would visit me/make dua for me, etc.

This line of yours reminded me of a message my one pastor told. He said that he dislikes receiving gifts. He likes to give gifts, but he does not like to get them. Then one day another pastor told him that by refusing the gifts of others, or by telling others not to give him anything, then he is taking away the blessing of others. (The blessing they receive for giving.) The pastor's message spoke to me, because I am one who does not like to receive gifts either.

But to extend it to what you wrote, if you feel that you are depriving others of their ability to visit you and make du'a for you, then you should next time inform them of your illness. I also dislike others to feel sympathy for me, so I can understand why you did not want to tell everyone. Sometimes we have to learn to set aside our own preferences.

One part of doing things for others, is also in allowing them to do things for us-- regardless of if we want it.