The companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to recite chapters and verses of the Qur’aan as a cure for possession as well as other illnesses. The uncle of Khaarijah ibn as-Salt reported that he went to the Prophet (PBUH) and embraced Islaam. During his return journey, he came across a tribe which had among them a madman fettered in iron chains. The madman’s family said to him, “We have been informed that your companion [i.e., Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)] has come with good. Do you have anything with which to treat illnesses?” He recited over him Faatihah al-Kitaab, and he got well. [In another narration it stated : “He recited over him Faatihah al-Kitaab every morning and evening for three days. Whenever he would finish his recitation, he would gather his saliva and spit. And he got well.”] They gave him one hundred sheep [but he was in doubt about whether he should accept them] so he went back to Allaah’s Messenger and informed him of the incident. The Prophet (PBUH) asked him, “Did you recite anything else besides this?” He replied that he had not. The Prophet (PBUH) then said, “Take them, for by my religion, whoever devours the payment for a false incantation will be destroyed. Indeed, you have eaten the price of a truthful incantation.” authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, vol. 2, p. 737, no. 3297.