Abu Talha ordered Umm Sulaim to prepare a meal specially for Allah's Apostle (ﷺ). He then sent me to him (to the Holy Prophet) ; the rest of the hadith is the same (but there is a slight variation of wording):" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) placed his hand and mentioned the name of Allah upon that, and then said: Admit ten men. He (Abu Talha) admitted them and they got in. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Eat while mentioning the name of Allah upon it (the meal). They ate until eighty persons had taken the food. Then Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) had his meal and so the members of the household, and still they left some food."
The Book of Drinks - Sahih Muslim 2040 d
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This blessed narration from Sahih Muslim demonstrates profound spiritual and practical wisdom regarding sustenance and divine blessings.
The Virtue of Beginning with Allah's Name
The Prophet's action of placing his hand upon the food and mentioning Allah's name teaches us that all blessings originate from Allah alone. By invoking His name, we acknowledge that sustenance is divine provision, not merely human effort.
This practice transforms ordinary eating into an act of worship, protecting the food from Satan's share and ensuring barakah (blessing) in what we consume.
The Miracle of Multiplication
The feeding of eighty men from a meal intended for few demonstrates how divine blessing multiplies provisions when accompanied by proper intention and remembrance of Allah. This mirrors the miracle of Jesus (peace be upon him) and confirms Muhammad's prophethood.
The preservation of leftover food further emphasizes that true abundance comes from Allah's grace, not material quantity alone.
Hospitality and Generosity
Abu Talha and Umm Sulaim's initiative to prepare food specifically for Allah's Messenger exemplifies the highest form of hospitality in Islam. Their action demonstrates love for the Prophet and desire for spiritual proximity through service.
The Prophet's instruction to admit ten men at a time shows the Islamic etiquette of gracious hosting while maintaining order and dignity.
Practical Jurisprudence
Scholars derive from this hadith the sunnah of saying "Bismillah" before eating, the permissibility of eating in groups, and the importance of sharing food with others.
The sequence of serving - guests first, then household members - establishes proper Islamic etiquette for meal distribution and prioritization in hospitality.