Muslim recorded it, as did Abu Ya‘la in his Musnad (3/1100), and Ibn al-Sunni, drawing on him, in Amal al-Yawm (545), with similar wording. Mansur also corroborated al-A‘mash, reporting from Abu al-Duha with the wording: “Whenever he visited a sick person to supplicate for him, he would say: …” He then mentioned it. It was recorded by Muslim, al-Nasa’i (1011), and Ibn Majah (3520). Ibrahim also corroborated Abu al-Duha, reporting from Masruq with the wording: “Whenever he visited a sick person, or a sick person was brought to him, he would say: …” He then mentioned it. It was recorded by al-Bukhari (5675), Muslim, al-Nasa’i (1012–1014), Ahmad (6/109 and 278), and Abu Ya‘la (1178).

It also has another route through Hisham ibn ‘Urwah, who said: My father told me, from Aishah, that “the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—would perform ruqyah …” He then mentioned the supplication. It was recorded by al-Bukhari (5744), Muslim as well, al-Nasa’i (1019 and 1020), Ahmad (6/50), and ‘Abd ibn Humayd in his Musnad (fol. 193/1).

I say: This hadith establishes the prescribed practice of treating a sick person with ruqyah by means of this noble supplication. This is in implementation of his saying—peace and blessings be upon him: “Whoever among you is able to benefit his brother, let him do so.” Muslim recorded it, and its documentation has already preceded under no. 473. Al-Bukhari gave it the heading: “Chapter: The Prophet’s ruqyah—peace and blessings be upon him.” Al-Hafiz said in al-Fath (10/207): “It may be inferred from this hadith that the genitive construction in the heading is agentive; yet there is a report indicating that it is objective, namely what Muslim recorded [7/13] from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri: Gabriel came to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and said: ‘O Muhammad, are you unwell?’ He replied: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you, from everything that harms you, from every soul or envious eye. May Allah heal you.’”