Is the person suffering from epilepsy ordered to be patient and not seek treatment?

The questioner : Regarding the hadith of the woman, if she says that she is patient, even though treatment is available and she could be treated by it, the meaning of this is that the person who falls ill—I say, do not seek treatment—

The Shaykh : No, absolutely not. This is a specific case, and Allah knows best the reason for it. That is, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said this to her. Allah knows best. This is a specific case, not a general one. The Messenger did not say, “Whoever has epilepsy should not seek medicine but should be patient.”

The questioner : Describe it, O Shaykh. Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes, he said, “Be patient, and Paradise is for you.” This is a specific case; perhaps the Messenger said it to her for a specific reason that we do not know about.