حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ طَعَامُ الاِثْنَيْنِ كَافِي الثَّلاَثَةِ وَطَعَامُ الثَّلاَثَةِ كَافِي الأَرْبَعَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
Translation
Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying

Food for one suffices two and food for two suffices for four.

Comment

Hadith Commentary

This narration from Sahih Muslim 2059 c in The Book of Drinks teaches the virtue of sharing blessings. When Allah provides sustenance, it carries barakah (divine blessing) that multiplies when shared with others.

Scholarly Interpretation

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this demonstrates how divine blessing expands provisions when Muslims practice generosity. What appears insufficient for one becomes sufficient for two through Allah's mercy.

Al-Nawawi comments that this encourages Muslims to share meals and strengthen communal bonds, transforming material scarcity into spiritual abundance through trust in divine provision.

Practical Application

This teaching applies beyond food to all provisions - time, knowledge, and wealth. When shared with righteous intention, Allah expands both material and spiritual benefits for the giver and receiver.