Setting
O Banu Bayādah, marry off (your daughters) to Abu Hind, and ask him to marry off (his daughters) to you
O Banu Bayādah, marry off (your daughters) to Abu Hind, and ask him to marry off (his daughters) to you
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Hind performed cupping for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the middle of his head. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then said: "O Banu Bayādah, marry off (your daughters) to Abu Hind, and ask him to marry off (his daughters) to you.' He added: 'If there is benefit in anything that you use for treatment, then it is cupping.'"
[Good hadith] [Narrated by Abu Daoud]
Explanation
This Hadīth shows that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had cupping made for him in his head by Abu Hind (may Allah be pleased with him). It also implies that suitability in family background and profession is not considered in marriage, for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded Banu Bayādah, one of the Ansār tribes who belonged to the Azdi and Qahtāni Arabs, to marry their daughters off to Abu Hind and marry his daughters. Abu Hind was one of the freed slaves who belonged to Banu Bayādah, and beside being an ex-slave, his job was making cupping, which was a lowly profession in the sight of the Arabs. However, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not pay attention to suitability in family background or profession. Other texts indicate that suitability in religiousness and morals should be considered. Finally, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that among the best methods of treatment is cupping.