Volume 3, Book 36, Number 476:
Narrated Abu Said:
Some of the companions of the Prophet went on a journey till they reached some of the ‘Arab
tribes (at 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 ) and said, “Our chief has been bitten by a snake
(or stung by a scorpion) and we have tried everything but he has not benefitted. Have you got any –
thing (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 (Suratul-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 di –
vide their earnings among themselves, but the one who performed the recitation said, “Do not divide
them till we go to the Prophet and narrate the whole story to him, and wait for his order.” So, they
went to Allah’s Apostle and narrated the story. Allah’s Apostle asked, “How did you come to know
that Surat-ul-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 smiled thereupon.
Volume 3 – 511 / 1700
SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 3 > BOOK 36: HIRING