Mishkat al-Masabih

Abu Juhaifa reported the Prophet as saying, “I do not eat reclining.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Qatada quoted Anas as saying that the Prophet never ate at a low table or from a small bowl* and that thin bread was not baked for him. Qatada was asked what they ate off and replied that it was off leather cloths. *This would have indicated pride throngh keeping himself apart, or niggardliness. Bukhari transmitted it.

Anas said he was not aware of the Prophet having seen a thin loaf till he met God, nor did he ever see with his eye a sheep roasted in its skin. Bukhari transmitted it.

Sahl b. Sa‘d said that God’s messenger never saw white bread from the time God commissioned him till God took him. He also said that God's messenger did not see a sieve from the time God commissioned him till God took him. He was asked how they could eat unsifted barley and replied that they ground it and blew it, and when some of it had flown away they moistened and ate what was left. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that the Prophet never expressed disapproval of food; if he desired it he ate it and if he disliked it he left it alone. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He told that a man who used to eat a great amount accepted Islam and began to eat little. When that was mentioned to the Prophet he said, “The believer eats in one intestine but the infidel in seven.”* *This is explained as a figure of speech to indicate the greed of the infidel and the lack of greed on the part of the believer. Bukhari transmitted it. Muslim transmitted on the authority of Abu Musa and Ibn ‘Umar only the part which quotes the Prophet. In another version by him on the authority of Abu Huraira it says that a man who was an infidel was entertained by God’s messenger. He ordered a sheep to be milked and the man drank what was drawn from it, then another and he drank it, then another and he drank it, till he had drunk the milk drawn from seven sheep. In the morning the man accepted Islam and God’s messenger ordered a sheep to be milked for him . When he had drunk what was drawn from it he ordered another to be milked, but when he did not finish all the milk God’s messenger said, “ The believer drinks in one intestine, but the infidel drinks in seven.”

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Two people’s food is enough for three and three people’s is enough for four.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir told of hearing God's messenger say, “One person’s food is enough for two, two persons’ food is enough for four, and four persons' food is enough for eight.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that she heard God’s messenger say, “Talbina* gives rest to an invalid’s heart and removes some of his grief.” *A kind of gruel made of flour or bran and milk, sometimes having honey mixed with it. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

A tailor invited the Prophet to a meal which he had prepared and I went along with the Prophet. He presented barley bread and soup containing pumpkin and dried sliced meat, and I saw the Prophet going after the pumpkin round the dish, so I have always liked pumpkin since that day. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Amr b. Umayya told that he saw the Prophet cutting slices from a shoulder of mutton in his hand. He was summoned to prayer, and after throwing it and the knife with which he was slicing it away, he stood up and prayed without performing ablution. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said God's messenger liked sweetmeats and honey. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir told th at when the Prophet asked his family for condiments and was told that they had only vinegar, he called for it and as he was using it in his food he said, “Vinegar is a good condiment; vinegar is a good condiment.” Muslim transmitted it.

Sa'id b. Zaid reported the Prophet as saying, “Truffles are a kind of manna, and their juice is a medicine for the eye.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version by Muslim has, “a kind of the manna which God most high sent down to Moses.”

‘Abdallah b. Ja'far told that he saw God’s messenger eating fresh dates with cucumber. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir told that when they were with God’s messenger at Marr az-Zahran and were plucking the fruit of the arak tree he said, “Keep to its black ones, for they are the most pleasant.” He was asked if he had shepherded sheep and replied, “Yes; has there been a prophet who did not shepherd them?” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that he saw the Prophet squatting and eating dates. A version says he was eating some quickly. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said God’s messenger prohibited anyone taking two dates together before asking permission from his companions. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha reported the Prophet as saying, “A family which has dates will not be hungry.” A version reports him as saying twice or three times, “A family which has no dates, ‘A’isha, will be hungry.” Muslim transmitted it.

Sa‘d told of hearing God’s messenger say, “He who has a morning meal of seven 'ajwa* dates will not suffer harm that day through poison or magic." *The name of a good quality of Medina dates. (Bukhari and Muslim.)