My mother, Um Sulaim, took a Mudd of barley grain, ground it and made porridge from it, and pressed (over it), a butter skin she had with her. Then she sent me to the Prophet, and I reached him while he was sitting with his companions. I invited him, whereupon he said, "And those who are with me?' I returned and said, "He says, 'And those who are with me?" Abu Talha went out to him and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! It is just a meal prepared by Um Sulaim." The Prophet (ﷺ) entered and the food was brought to him. He said, "Let ten persons enter upon me." Those ten entered and ate their fill. Again he said, 'Let ten (more) enter upon me." Those ten entered and ate their fill. Then he said, "Let ten (more) enter upon me." He called forty persons in all Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ate and got up. I started looking (at the food) to see if it decreased or not.
Food, Meals - Sahih al-Bukhari 5450
This narration from Anas ibn Malik demonstrates the miraculous blessing (barakah) that Allah bestows upon the food of the righteous. Um Sulaim prepared a modest meal of barley porridge with a small amount of butter, yet it sufficed for forty companions through the Prophet's blessing.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this hadith illustrates several important principles: First, the virtue of hospitality even with limited provisions. Second, the barakah that follows sincerity and faith - Um Sulaim's intention to serve the Prophet multiplied her humble offering.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that the Prophet's question "And those who are with me?" teaches us to consider our companions and not exclude them from invitations. This reflects the Islamic etiquette of inclusiveness.
The miracle occurred in stages - feeding ten people at a time - demonstrating that divine blessings can manifest gradually. The final observation by Anas, who checked whether the food had diminished, confirms the supernatural nature of this event.
This incident also highlights the status of Um Sulaim and Abu Talha's household, whose faith and generosity Allah honored with this miracle. The scholars deduce that serving food to righteous people brings barakah to one's sustenance.