Sweetmeats

A`isha RA narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ loved sweetmeats and honey. [Sahih Bukhari]

Note: The Arabic term – Halwa, is translated here as sweetmeats. It is reported that Uthman RA was the first person who made and presented halwa to Rasulullah ﷺ. It was made from flour and ghee [clarified butter] [Khasa’il].

Hays – Dessert made with dates

A`isha RA relates the following: ‘One day Rasulullah ﷺ asked me if there was anything to eat and I informed him that there was nothing. He decided to fast for the day and left home. Upon his return I informed him that somebody had sent a gift and I had kept some for him. Rasulullah ﷺ enquired what it was and I told him that it was Hays. Rasulullah ﷺ asked for it and when I offered it to him, he ate.’ [Muslim]

Note: Allamah Ayni R says that this dessert is made with dates, cheese and ghee [clarified butter]. Sometimes the cheese is substituted with flour.

Khazirah

‘Itban RA narrates that he complained to Rasulullah ﷺ that his eyesight was weakening and he was responsible for leading his people in Salaah. It often happened during the rainy weather that the valley between him and the Masjid overflowed with water and it was not possible for him to reach the Masjid to lead the congregation. He requested Rasulullah ﷺ to come to his home and perform Salaah at a particular spot, so that could demarcate that area as a permanent place for Salaah in the future. The following day when the sun was well above the horizon, Rasulullah ﷺ went to his home accompanied by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr RA. Rasulullah ﷺ asked him if he preferred any particular spot for Salaah and he indicated to a specific area. Rasulullah ﷺ commenced with the Salaah and the people of that vicinity followed behind. He performed two units of Salaah. Itban RA says: Thereafter we delayed Rasulullah`s ﷺ departure as we had prepared Khazirah for him.’ [Bukhari]

Note: Khazirah is a dish containing pieces of meat cooked in water. Flour is added to the meat when it is cooked. —an-Nihayah fi gharib al-Hadith

Sawiiq

Suwayd RA relates: ‘We set off for Khaybar with Rasulullah ﷺ and when we reached a place called Sahbaa – which is very near to Khaybar – Rasulullah ﷺ asked if there was anything to eat. We had nothing except Sawiiq, which we offered to Rasulullah ﷺ. Rasulullah ﷺ partook of this. Rasulullah ﷺ gargled his mouth after eating and then lead the congregation in Maghrib Salah. [Bukhari]

Food with spice

Umme Salamah RA narrates that Ibn Abbas, Hasan and Abdullah Ibn Ja’far Radiallahu Anhum once paid her a visit and requested her to cook such food for them which Rasulullah ﷺ was fond of. Umme Salamah RA cautioned them that they would not find such food appetising. They insisted that they would enjoy the food. She got up to prepare the meal and took some husk of wheat or barley and put it into a pot, adding olive oil to it. She added cumin-seed and grounded black pepper and allowed it to cook for a while. She presented it to them saying, ‘This is what Rasulullah ﷺ ate with relish.’ [Shama’il]

Note: The Hadith establishes that Rasulullah ﷺ ate food which was spiced. Allamah Munawi R says that adopting simple and cheap methods of adding taste to a dish is not against the demands of Zuhd [asceticism, abstinence].

Another version of this Hadith has a slight variation. It says that Umme Salamah RA took barley, sifted it and made bread with it. She then placed the baked bread into a pot, poured olive oil and sprinkled spice over it. She presented it to the Sahabah RA saying: ‘This is the food which Rasulullah ﷺ ate with relish.’ [Tirmidhi]

Vinegar

Jabir RA narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: Vinegar is such a good curry/condiment.’ [Tirmidhi]

A`isha RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said: ‘Vinegar was the curry of the Ambiya AS who lived before us.` [Ibn Majah]

Note: Natural vinegar has many benefits. It eradicates excessive phlegm and bile. It aids in digestion and kills worms. It increases the appetite. [Khasa’il]

Tharid

Abu Musa RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said: ‘The merit of A`isha over all women is like the merit of ‘Tharid over all other foods’ [Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said: ‘There is barakah in Sehri, in Tharid and barakah in jama`ah [any task done collectively].’ [Majma’]

Ibn Al Qayyim R writes in his book Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet “Thareed is composed of some bread, which is the best of food, and meat, which is the best of flavouring. When these two are combined together, no other food can surpass them”.

Thariid is a dish of meat and gravy with pieces of bread left to soak in it. This food is easily digested and it provides immense nutrition and energy.

Talbina

Talbina is considered Sunnah, meaning it is a practice established or recommended by the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged the consumption of talbina for its potential health benefits and as a remedy for certain ailments. This recommendation is recorded in various Hadiths.

عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَأْمُرُ بِالتَّلْبِينِ لِلْمَرِيضِ وَلِلْمَحْزُونِ عَلَى الْهَالِكِ، وَكَانَتْ تَقُولُ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ التَّلْبِينَةَ تُجِمُّ فُؤَادَ الْمَرِيضِ، وَتَذْهَبُ بِبَعْضِ الْحُزْنِ ‏“

Narrated ‘Urwa R: A`isha RA used to recommend Talbina for the sick and for such a person who was grieving over a dead person. She used to say, “I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, ‘at-Talbina gives rest to the heart of the patient and makes it active and relieves some of his sorrow and grief.'” [Bukhari]

Talbina is often recommended for its soothing and nourishing properties, particularly in relation to digestive health and general well-being. It is made from barley, which is a nutritious grain known for its health benefits. Additionally, talbina can be easily digested and is believed to provide comfort to both the body and the heart.