When the ditch was dug, I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) feeling very hungry. I came to my wife and said to her: Is there anything with you? I have seen Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) feeling extremely hungry. She brought out a bag of provisions which contained a sa', of barley. We had also with us a lamb. I slaughtered it. She ground the flour. She finished (this work) along with me. I cut it into pieces and put it in the earthen pot and then returned to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) (for inviting him). She said: Do not humiliate me in the presence of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and those who are with him. When I came to him I whispered to him saying: Allah's Messenger, we have slaughtered a lamb for you and she has ground a sa' of barley which we had with us. So you come along with a group of people with you. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said loudly: O people of the ditch, Jabir has arranged a feast for you, so (come along). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Do not remove your earthen pot from the hearth and do not bake the bread from the kneaded flour until I come. So I came and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came and he was ahead of the people; and I came to my wife and she said (to me): You will be humbled. I said: I did what you had asked me to do. She (his wife) said: I brought out the kneaded flour and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) put some saliva of his in that and blessed It. He then put saliva in the earthen pot and blessed it and then said. Call another baker who can bake with you. and bring out the soup from it, but do not remove it from the hearth, and the guests were one thousand. (Jabir said): I take an oath by Allah that all of them ate (the food to their fill) until they left it and went away and our earthen pot was brimming over as before, and so was the case with our flour, or as Dahhak (another narrator) said: It (the flour) was in the same condition and loaves had been prepared from that.
The Book of Drinks - Sahih Muslim 2039
This narration from Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) demonstrates the miraculous blessings bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and serves as evidence of his prophethood. The incident occurred during the digging of the trench (Khandaq) in Medina, when the Muslims faced severe hunger and hardship.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this miracle manifests Allah's power through His Messenger. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) blessed the food with his saliva, it became a means of barakah (blessing) that multiplied the provisions. This demonstrates that blessings come from Allah alone, who can expand sustenance as He wills.
The narration teaches us about the Prophet's humility in accepting invitations and his concern for his companions. His loud announcement to the people of the ditch shows his desire to include all present, reflecting the Islamic principle of sharing and community.
Jabir's wife's initial concern about humiliation teaches us the importance of having good expectations of Allah and His Messenger. The eventual outcome demonstrates that when one acts with sincere intention and reliance upon Allah, He provides beyond expectation.
Legal and Spiritual Lessons
This hadith establishes the permissibility of accepting invitations and the importance of community meals. It also shows the virtue of being content with little and trusting in Allah's provision.
The miracle serves as a reminder that material causes are secondary to divine will. While we must take appropriate means, ultimate success and provision come from Allah alone.
Scholars note that such miracles were granted to the Prophet to strengthen the faith of the believers and as signs of his truthfulness, particularly during times of severe trial and hardship.