156 / WHAT MAY BE RECITED OVER THE SICK
The purified Sunnah contains various remembrances and supplications prescribed for recitation over the sick, which Allah has made a means of healing and well-being. I shall discuss a blessed selection of these remembrances and supplications.
The greatest thing that may be recited over a sick person is Sūrat al-Fātiha—the Opening of the Book and Mother of the Quran—for it is both sufficient and healing. It is related in the two Sahih collections from Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī—may Allah be pleased with him:
“A group of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—set out on a journey. They stopped among one of the Arab clans and asked them for hospitality, but the clansmen refused to host them. Then the chief of that clan was stung. They tried every possible remedy for him, but nothing helped. Some of them said, ‘Why not go to the group who have stopped among you? Perhaps one of them has something that may help.’
“They went to them and said, ‘O company of travellers, our chief has been stung. We have tried every possible remedy for him, but nothing has helped. Does any one of you have something that may help?’ One of them replied, ‘Yes, by Allah, I can perform a healing recitation. But, by Allah, we asked you for hospitality and you refused to host us, so I will not recite over him until you agree to give us something in return.’ They agreed to give them a flock of sheep.
“He then went and began spitting lightly while reciting, ‘All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds.’ The chief recovered as though he had been released from a tether. He rose and walked away with nothing at all wrong with him [that is, no pain or ailment]. They then paid the Companions the reward they had agreed upon. Some of them said, ‘Divide it among yourselves.’ But the man who had performed the healing recitation said, ‘Do not do so until we go to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—tell him what happened, and see what he instructs us to do.’
“They came to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him—and told him what had happened. He said, ‘How did you know that it could be used as a healing recitation? You did the right thing. Divide the flock, and allot me a share along with you.’”1.
This hadith demonstrates the exalted status of this surah and its tremendous effect, by Allah’s permission, in healing the sick and removing their ailments.