Why Did the Companion Spit on the Wound During Ruqya for a Snake Bite?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

The Narration in Question

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a group of the Companions were traveling through an area. Once they came to the lands of some nomadic Arab tribes, they asked the tribes to host them, but the tribes refused. At the same time, the leader of the tribe was stung by a venomous scorpion, and they took every means they could to heal him, to no avail. Among themselves, they decided to catch up with the group of Companions that had asked to be hosted. Perhaps they can help in some way. So they caught up to the Companions and said,

“O people, our leader was stung, and we tried everything. Nothing is working. Is any of you a healer?”

One of the Companions said,

“Yes. But we asked to be hosted, and you refused. So we will not come to heal him unless you grant us a wage.”

So they made a deal that they would pay some sheep in exchange for healing. The Companion began spitting and reciting Surat al-Fatiha until the leader was healed as though freed from a hobble, and he began to walk about unharmed. So they paid them the wage, and they went on their way. One of them said,

“Divide up the sheep.” The one who healed said, “Not yet, until we come to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and tell him what occurred and what he commands.” When they arrived at the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and mentioned to him the story, he (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“How did you know that it (Surat al-Fatiha) is a means of healing? You were, indeed, correct. Divy it up and set aside a portion for me.” [Bukhari]

Understanding This Narration

Imam Bukhari relates this narration under the chapter “the chapter of blowing (or spitting)”. The word nafth means to blow such that there is a little bit of spittle. [Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari] This is a Prophetic practice (Sunna) affirmed in many narrations.

To spit on a wound in this manner after having read a supplication or portions of the Quran is a means of healing that Allah Most High has ordained. Someone looking from merely a superficial, scientific lens may dislike such a practice as they see it as a means of spreading germs, especially on an open wound. However, this is based on a misalignment of one’s belief in the true cause of all effects—Allah Most High.

Nothing can harm or benefit, except Allah Most High, as Allah explicitly states throughout the Quran. [Tahawi, al-‘Aqida al-Tahawiyya]

“Yet they have taken besides Him gods who cannot create anything but are themselves created. Nor can they protect or benefit themselves. Nor can they control life, death, or resurrection.” [Quran; 25:3]

Allah is the only one who causes sickness and the only one who can bring about a cure. This is part of the meaning of the testification of faith: La ilaha ill Allah.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.