Sahih al-Bukhari 2191 (Book 37, Hadith 16)
night). They asked the latter to treat them as their guests but they refused. The chief of that tribe was
then bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion) and they tried their best to cure him but in vain. Some
of them said (to the others), “Nothing has benefited him, will you go to the people who resided here at
night, it may be that some of them might possess something (as treatment),” They went to the group of
the companions (of the Prophet (ﷺ) ) and said, “Our chief has been bitten by a snake (or stung by a
scorpion) and we have tried everything but he has not benefited. Have you got anything (useful)?”
One of them replied, “Yes, by Allah! I can recite a Ruqya, but as you have refused to accept us as
your guests, I will not recite the Ruqya for you unless you fix for us some wages for it.” They agrees
to pay them a flock of sheep. One of them then went and recited (Surat-ul-Fatiha): ‘All the praises are
for the Lord of the Worlds’ and puffed over the chief who became all right as if he was released from a
chain, and got up and started walking, showing no signs of sickness.
They paid them what they agreed to pay. Some of them (i.e. the companions) then suggested to divide
their earnings among themselves, but the one who performed the recitation said, “Do not divide them
till we go to the Prophet (ﷺ) and narrate the whole story to him, and wait for his order.” So, they went to
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and narrated the story. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked, “How did you come to know that Suratul-
Fatiha was recited as Ruqya?” Then he added, “You have done the right thing. Divide (what you
have earned) and assign a share for me as well.” The Prophet (ﷺ) smiled thereupon.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2191 (Book 37, Hadith 16)
The above hadith is from the Sahih al-Buhari collection of hadiths. The compilation known as Sahih al-Bukhari is a paramount collection of the Sunnah and hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. Its creator, Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī, dedicated his life to this work, completing it around 847. It holds a position of immense respect as arguably the most authentic book in Sunni Islam after the Holy Quran. As a key pillar of the six canonical books (Kutub al-Sittah), its detailed 97-chapter structure houses an estimated 7,563 narrations that continue to shape Islamic theology, law, and ethics to this day.
Use the tags to drill down deeper and find connections and new streams of information to help you fill gaps in knowledge and better connect the dots. Eman and Life is a growing database of knowledge with the mission to help further us in our pursuit of the best lifestyle through the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah.
For more Hadith in Book 37: Hiring