Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 5588 in the Book of The Book of Greetings.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

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#5587

#5588

Sahih Muslim

#5589

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Sahih Muslim #5588

Q: What is Sahih Muslim 5588 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Greetings), narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported:, states: "We landed at a place where a woman came to us and said: A scorpion has bitten the chief of the tribe. Is there any incantator amongst you? A person amongst us stood up (and went with her). We had no i…"

The Book of Greetings

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ حَسَّانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَخِيهِ، مَعْبَدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ نَزَلْنَا مَنْزِلاً فَأَتَتْنَا امْرَأَةٌ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ سَيِّدَ الْحَىِّ سَلِيمٌ لُدِغَ فَهَلْ فِيكُمْ مِنْ رَاقٍ فَقَامَ مَعَهَا رَجُلٌ مِنَّا مَا كُنَّا نَظُنُّهُ يُحْسِنُ رُقْيَةً فَرَقَاهُ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ فَبَرَأَ فَأَعْطَوْهُ غَنَمًا وَسَقَوْنَا لَبَنًا فَقُلْنَا أَكُنْتَ تُحْسِنُ رُقْيَةً فَقَالَ مَا رَقَيْتُهُ إِلاَّ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لاَ تُحَرِّكُوهَا حَتَّى نَأْتِيَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرْنَا ذَلِكَ لَهُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ مَا كَانَ يُدْرِيهِ أَنَّهَا رُقْيَةٌ اقْسِمُوا وَاضْرِبُوا لِي بِسَهْمٍ مَعَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

We landed at a place where a woman came to us and said: A scorpion has bitten the chief of the tribe. Is there any incantator amongst you? A person amongst us stood up (and went with her). We had no idea that he had been a good incantator but he practiced incantation with the help of Sura al-Fatiha and the (the chief) was all right. They gave him a flock of sheep and served us milk. We said (to him): Are you a good incantator. Thereupon he said: I did not do it but by the help of Sura al-Fatiha. He said: Do not drive (these goats) until we go to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and find out (whether it is permissible to accept (this reward of incantation). So we came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and made a mention of that to him, whereupon he said: How did you come to know that this (Sura al-Fatiha) could be used as an incantation? So distribute them (amongst those who had been present there with him) and allocate a share of mine also.

Narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported:

Context

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri narrates an event where a woman sought help for her chief who had been bitten by a scorpion. A man from their group, whom they did not expect to be skilled in healing, recited Surah al-Fatiha and successfully cured the chief. When they presented this to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he questioned how they knew it could be used as a remedy, ultimately allowing them to accept the reward for the healing.

Modern Application

This hadith illustrates the significance of helping others in need, as well as the potential of simple acts of faith to bring about healing. In our communities today, we can offer support to those who are struggling, whether through physical assistance or spiritual encouragement.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Hospitality in Islam because it emphasizes the importance of helping those in need and the communal spirit of support and care.

Hospitality in Islam