Is the Hadeeth regarding the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, getting bewitched and imagining that he had done something when he had not, Saheeh (authentic)? Some Muslim scholars rejected this saying there are problems in the chain of narrations and have many contradictions. Also they said it's impossible for the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, to get bewitched. Please explain why is this Hadeeth considered Saheeh by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim and others even though other scholars claimed the chain of narrations is problematic.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The narration which states that the Prophet was bewitched by Labeed ibn Al-A'sam is an authentic narration which is reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim .

All Muslim scholars accepted the narrations reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, as they were the most knowledgeable men about the sciences of the Prophetic narrations, and since they both reported this narration, this means that this narration is beyond any doubt.

Ibn Hajar said, ''Al-Maazri said, 'The innovators refuted this narration and claimed that it despises the status of prophecy and makes people doubt it…, but all this is rejected. That is because proofs have been already established about the trustworthiness and infallibility of the Prophet in conveying the message of Allaah. Indeed, his miracles testify to his trustworthiness. Therefore, to say anything that contradicts the well established evidences is rejected.'"

To conclude, the scholars accepted this narration and believed in its contents. Among these scholars are Al-Qurtubi, Al-Maazri, Al-Qaadhi 'Iyaadh, An-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar and others. It is only the innovators who deny it.

As for the confusion that some may have about the adverse effect of magic on the Prophet the scholars clarified that the effect was only on his body and not on his mind or heart exactly like the adverse effect of any other physical disease. Indeed, Al-Qaadhi 'Iyaadh said, 'The different reports of the above narration clarify that the magic affected his body and limbs but it did not affect his mind, heart or belief. Hence, the meaning of the narration ''…until he attempted to have intercourse with his wives but then found himself unable to do so''. This means that he thought, as he used to when he was active, that he was able to have intercourse with his wives, but when he approached them, he felt the effect of magic, and therefore, became unable to approach them, exactly as a person who is affected by magic.’

Allaah Knows best.