Food, Meals - Sahih al-Bukhari 5382

We were one hundred and thirty men sitting with the Prophet. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Have anyone of you any food with him?" It happened that one man had one Sa of wheat flour (or so) which was turned into dough then. After a while a tall lanky pagan came, driving some sheep. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, 'Will you sell us (a sheep), or give (it to) us as a gift?" The pagan said, "No, but I will sell it " So the Prophet bought from him a sheep which was slaughtered, and then the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered that the liver, the kidneys, lungs and heart, etc., of that sheep be roasted. By Allah, none of those one hundred and thirty men but had his share of those things. The Prophet (ﷺ) gave to those who were present, and also kept a share for those who were absent He then served that cooked sheep in two big trays and we all ate together our fill; yet there remained a part of it in those two trays which I carried on the camel.

Commentary on Divine Blessing

This narration demonstrates the miraculous blessing (barakah) that Allah places in the provisions of the righteous. A mere Sa' of flour (approximately 3kg) and one sheep sufficed for 130 men, with abundant leftovers - a clear supernatural multiplication of food similar to the miracles of previous prophets.

The Prophet's inquiry about available food teaches us the sunnah of beginning communal meals with whatever is available, trusting in Allah's provision. His specific request for the internal organs shows the permissibility and virtue of consuming all lawful parts of an animal, avoiding waste.

Lessons in Etiquette and Wisdom

The Prophet's polite negotiation with the pagan shepherd exemplifies Islamic business ethics - offering multiple options (purchase or gift) while respecting the other's decision. This teaches Muslims to maintain excellent character even with those of different faiths.

Remembering absent companions when distributing food demonstrates the comprehensive care of the Muslim community. The abundance remaining after everyone ate their fill confirms that blessings accompany gratitude, sharing, and proper intention in consumption.

Juridical Rulings Derived

Scholars derive from this hadith the permissibility of eating from large communal plates, the recommendation to include organs in meals, the validity of simple flour-based foods, and the importance of fair distribution. The Prophet's action of buying rather than demanding the sheep establishes the principle that Muslim needs don't override others' property rights.

The narration also indicates the superiority of sharing meals collectively over individual dining, and how divine blessing can manifest in worldly provisions when accompanied by piety, good manners, and trust in Allah.