What is Sunan Ibn Majah 2990 about?

This hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah (Book of Chapters on Food), narrated by It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:, states: "“The food of one person is sufficient for two, the food of two is sufficient for four, and the food for four is sufficient for eight.”"

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Hasan. Hasan hadiths are considered good and acceptable in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Ibn Majah, which contains 4,345 hadiths across 38 books. It is hadith number 2990 in the Book of Chapters on Food.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#2989

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Sunan Ibn Majah

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Sunan Ibn Majah #2990

Chapters on Food

Hasan

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّقِّيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ زِيَادٍ الأَسَدِيُّ، أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ طَعَامُ الْوَاحِدِ يَكْفِي الاِثْنَيْنِ وَطَعَامُ الاِثْنَيْنِ يَكْفِي الأَرْبَعَةَ وَطَعَامُ الأَرْبَعَةِ يَكْفِي الثَّمَانِيَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

“The food of one person is sufficient for two, the food of two is sufficient for four, and the food for four is sufficient for eight.”

Narrated by It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the concept of sharing and abundance in food. He illustrates that the food prepared for one person can suffice for two, and similarly for larger groups. This teaching encourages generosity and the idea that blessings can multiply when shared among others, fostering a sense of community and hospitality.

Modern Application

When sharing a meal with family or friends, consider preparing a little extra food. This not only allows for unexpected guests but also embodies the spirit of generosity and hospitality that can strengthen relationships and create a warm atmosphere.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Hospitality in Islam and Blessings in Food because it highlights the importance of sharing food and the belief that provisions can multiply when shared.

Hospitality in Islam Blessings in Food