"I heard Jabir say: 'The Messenger of Allah sent us, three hundred riders led by Abu 'Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah, to lie in wait for the caravan of the Quraish. We stayed on the coast and became very hungry, so much so that we ate Khabat. Then the sea cast ashore a beast called (Al-'Anbar), and we ate from it for half a month, and daubed our bodies with its fat, and our health was restored. Abu 'Ubaidah took one it its ribs and looked for the tallest camel and the tallest man in the army, and he passed beneath it. Then they got hungry again and a man slaughtered three camels, then they got hungry and a man slaughtered three camels, then they got hungry and a man slaughtered three camels, then they got hungry and a man slaughtered three camels. Then Abu 'Ubaidah told him not to do that." (One of the narrators) Sufyan said: "Abu Az-Zubair said, narrating from Jabir: "We asked the Prophet and he said: 'Do you have anything left of it?"' he said; "We took out, such-and -such an amount of a fat from its (the whale's) eyes, and four men could fit into its eye socket. Abu 'Ubaidah had a sack of dates and he used to give them out by the handful, then he started to give one date at a time, and when we ran out of dates it became very difficult for us."
Narrated by It was narrated that 'Amr said:
Context
This hadith narrates an event during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when a group of three hundred riders, led by Abu 'Ubaidah, faced severe hunger while waiting for a caravan of the Quraish. They resorted to eating Khabat, a type of wild plant, until they were miraculously provided with a large sea creature known as Al-'Anbar, which they consumed for half a month. This experience highlights themes of reliance on Allah and the importance of sustenance during hardship.
Modern Application
In today's context, this hadith reminds us of the importance of gratitude for the food we have, especially during challenging times. It encourages individuals to appreciate the provisions they receive and to share with others in need, fostering a sense of community and support.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Dietary Laws and Blessings in Food because it illustrates the significance of sustenance provided by Allah during times of need and the importance of consuming permissible food.
And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful.
And of the camels, two and of the cattle, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah to mislead the people by [something] other than knowledge? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people."
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
He said, "Did you see when we retired to the rock? Indeed, I forgot [there] the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan - that I should mention it. And it took its course into the sea amazingly".
This hadith is #4362 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that 'Amr said:.