The 'kitaab gaabs' power to heal the sick through prayers, especially those with mental imbalances.

 Dalleo has noted that 'occasionally sheiks rose to prominent positions,73 because they possessed some divine powers which the ordinary), nomads held in awe. Those divine powers that seem to be derived from their holiness included the power to heal the sick through prayers, especially those with mental imbalances. 74 They were also known by the people to possess some kind of 'love potion' which they used to give to jealous . -- .' wives to prevent their husbands from marrying another wife. The 'kitaab gaabs' (short book owners), as they were traditionally called, were also feared by the people as they seem to have possessed knowledge that ordinary Somalis did not have . These 'kitaab gaabs' -were not highly learned in the Quranic scriptures though they knew some specific verses of the Quran which enhanced their trade. The Somali respected them more out of fear than anything else . The 'Kitaab gaabs' did not like to share their knowledge with the wider community in case .' they lost their market since they were highly in demand.

73. Dalleo, 'Trade and Pastoralism', p.4.