to Mecca. He was from the Azd Shanūʾah tribe and used to treat people for this sort of affliction with incantations. He then heard some of the foolish folk of Mecca saying, “Muhammad is mad.” So he said, “If I could but meet this man, perhaps Allah would heal him through my hands.”

He did meet him and said, “Muhammad, I perform incantations for such ailments, and Allah heals, through my hands, whomsoever He wills. Would you like me to treat you?”

The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—answered:

“All praise belongs to Allah; we praise Him and seek His help. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whomever He lets go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger. To proceed:”

Dimad said, “Repeat those words of yours to me.” The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—repeated them three times.

Dimad then declared, “I have heard the words of soothsayers, sorcerers, and poets, yet I have never heard anything like these words of yours. They have reached to the very depths of the sea! Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you for Islam.”

He pledged his allegiance, whereupon the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, “And on behalf of your people.”

He replied, “And on behalf of my people as well.” … (the rest of the hadith follows).