Did the prophet ever seek a doctor or tabib?
Yes, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did seek medical treatment and acknowledged the importance of medicine. In a narration found in Sunan al-Tirmidhi, the Bedouins asked the Prophet, "O Messenger of Allah, should we seek treatment?" He replied, "Yes, O servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not placed a disease except that He has placed its cure or remedy, except for one disease." They asked, "And what is it?" He said, Old age.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 28:3
Additionally, in Al-Kafi, there is a narration where Ismail ibn al-Hasan al-Mutabbib discusses medicine with Abu Abdullah, who mentions that even in the context of illness, there are permissible treatments. He states, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) was sick, and Aisha said to him, 'You have pleurisy.' He replied, 'I am more deserving with Allah, the Exalted, not to be afflicted with pleurisy.' Then he was ordered to be drained with cupping with patience.
Al-Kafi 1:229
These narrations illustrate that the Prophet recognized the value of seeking medical help and that treatments were sought during his time.
Sources
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 28:3
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 28, Hadith 3 · Narrated by Usama ibn Sharik
The Bedouins said, "O Messenger of Allah, should we seek treatment?" He replied, "Yes, O servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not placed a disease except that He has placed its cure or remedy, except for one disease." They asked, "And what is it?" He said, "Old age."
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Al-Kafi 1:229
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 229
Indeed, the believing servant who is poor says: 'O Lord, provide for me so that I may perform such and such charitable deeds and deeds of goodness.' When Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, knows that from him with a sincere intention, He records for him a reward equivalent to what He would record if he had actually done those deeds. Allah is vast and generous. — OR — If you are sick and desire comes upon you, then it may be that the ejaculation occurs, but it comes weakly, without strength, due to your illness, little by little hour after hour. Then you should perform the ritual bath from it. — OR — Regarding the verse: 'And who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium way between those extremes,' he stretched out his palm and spread his fingers slightly and bent some of them, and regarding the verse: 'And do not stretch out your hand completely,' he spread his palm and said, 'Thus.' Then he said that the medium way is what escapes from between the fingers yet remains in the palm. — OR — I asked him about a man who died without a will, leaving male and female children, young servants and concubines. Is it permissible that the concubines be sold? He said: Yes. And about a man traveling with someone who dies on the journey without having made a will, who has both young and mature children: Is it permissible to entrust his property and animals to his adult children or to the judge? If there is no judge in his town, what should be done? And if he gave the money to his older children without informing them, then left and was unable to reclaim it, what should be done? He said: If the younger children are aware and request it, then unless by order of the authority it must be handed over to them. And about a man who dies without a will, leaving heirs both young and mature: Is it permissible to buy his servants and property without the judge overseeing the sale? If the judge oversees it, and they consent and do not consult the caliph, is buying from it valid or not? He said: If the adult children who are heirs are involved in the sale, and the heirs are satisfied with it with a just person overseeing, then there is no harm. — OR — Ismail ibn al-Hasan al-Mutabbib said: I said to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him), "I am an Arab with knowledge of medicine, and my medicine is Arabic medicine which I do not strictly adhere to. I cauterize and burn wounds. He said, 'No harm.' I said, 'We also give these moderate poisons named Asmahiqoon and al-Ghariqoon to drink.' He said, 'No harm.' I said, 'Sometimes it results in death.' He said, 'Even if he dies?' I said, 'We pour wine on him.' He said, 'There is no cure in what is unlawful. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) was sick, and Aisha said to him, "You have pleurisy." He replied, "I am more deserving with Allah, the Exalted, not to be afflicted with pleurisy." Then he was ordered to be drained with cupping with patience."
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