What is the reward for examining patients for free, and can a medical student join the ranks of the Salaf scholars such as Al-Thawri and Ibn Hanbal?

Treating the sick and alleviating their pain falls under helping a Muslim, fulfilling their needs, and relieving their distress, and it carries a great reward. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever is in the need of his brother, Allah will be in his need. Whoever relieves a Muslim of a distress, Allah will relieve him of a distress on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever conceals a Muslim, Allah will conceal him on the Day of Resurrection."

The medical world does not rank with the scholars of Sharia, for the praiseworthy knowledge inherited by the prophets is the Sharia knowledge.