The Ruling on Saying "A Malignant Illness"

Question:
What is the ruling on one who says, "I have been afflicted with a malignant illness," or "This is a malignant illness"?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with it if the illness is in itself a serious one. If it is something like what is called cancer, a malignant illness, or something that causes him pain, a painful illness, or an illness that has harmed me or caused me pain, that does not cause harm, if Allah wills. We do not know of any issue with it. However, with patience, it serves as expiation for sins. If he were to leave out the word "malignant" or "I have been afflicted with an illness" and instead say, "Praise be to Allah for His decree and destiny," or "a severe illness" instead of "malignant," or "a painful illness," that would be better, because the term "malignant" carries a certain ugliness. It may be a cause for the expiation of his sins; it may be the thing that lowers his ranks and erases his sins. But if it is severe or painful, or something similar, that may be safer, if Allah wills. Yes.