Combining the hadith "There is no harm, it is purification, if Allah wills" with the hadith on supplication

Question:
How do you combine the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "There is no harm, it is purification, if Allah wills," with the hadith that says, "Let one of you not ask about a matter and say, 'O Allah, forgive me for my sins'?"

Answer:
It appears, and Allah knows best, that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "There is no harm, it is purification, if Allah wills," as an expression of optimism. It is not a form of supplication; it is an expression of optimism. However, if he had said, "O Allah, heal him," he would not say, "O Allah, heal him if You will," or "O Allah, grant him well-being if You will." That is not permissible. But he said, "It is purification, if Allah wills," which is an expression of optimism. Because an illness may be a purification, or it may be a punishment. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed optimism that it would be of the first type, a purification, and not a punishment.