I heard Allah'. s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Food for one person suffices two persons and food for two persons suffices four persons, and food for four persons suffices eight persons; and in the tradition transmitted on the authority of Ishaq there is no mention of the fact that he heard it directly (from the Holy Prophet).
The Book of Drinks - Sahih Muslim 2059a
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This blessed hadith from our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) contains profound wisdom regarding sustenance and blessings from Allah Almighty.
The Blessing in Sustenance
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) teaches us that when food is shared with pure intention and trust in Allah's provision, divine blessing (barakah) descends upon it. What suffices one person can miraculously suffice two, and what suffices two can suffice four, continuing in this multiplication by Allah's grace.
This demonstrates that material calculations differ from spiritual realities. The believer should trust in Allah's promise and share what they have, knowing that Allah will expand their provision.
Spiritual and Social Wisdom
This teaching encourages generosity, community bonding, and trust in divine provision. It opposes miserliness and teaches that sharing increases rather than decreases what one has.
The Prophet (ﷺ) guides us toward a society where no one eats alone while others hunger, and where believers support one another as limbs of one body.
Chain of Transmission Note
The narrator mentions that in Ishaq's transmission, there is no claim of directly hearing from the Prophet. This reflects the meticulous nature of hadith scholars in preserving accurate chains of transmission, ensuring the authenticity of every word attributed to our beloved Prophet (ﷺ).