In the 5th year after hijrah, a coalition force of 10 000 disbelievers marched on to Madeenah Munawwarah. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) heard of their coming, he consulted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) as to what should be done. Sayyiduna Salmaan Faarsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) suggested that a trench be dug around Madeenah Munawwarah, in order to protect it from the invading army. This suggestion was accepted and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) set out to dig this trench in very difficult conditions. (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 2, pg. 66 and Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 2, pg. 220)

While digging the trench, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) came across a severe boulder which they were unable to break. When they informed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) about it, he stood up and personally went down into the trench to break the boulder. Due to not having eaten anything for three days, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had tied a stone to his blessed stomach in order to lessen the pangs of hunger.

Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) could not bear the sight of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) undergoing such hardship and thus approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and requested his permission to go home. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) acceded to his request.

Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) rushed to his house and said to his wife, Sayyidah Suhaimah bintu Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anha), “I have seen Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in such a condition that I cannot bear. Do you have anything to eat?” His wife replied that she had some barley which amounted to only one saa’ (approximately 3.2 kg) and a young she goat. Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) instructed his wife to begin baking the bread with the barley, whilst he proceeded to slaughter the goat, cut its meat and cook it.

As the meat was being cooked, he proceeded to call Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, before leaving, his wife told him, “Do not disgrace me in front of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and those who are with him (i.e. do not call too many people since the food is not enough and calling many people will ultimately result in embarrassment).” Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and secretly said, “I have a little food. So, come O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) together with a few people.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him how much of food there was. When he explained the amount, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded saying, “(It is) abundant and wholesome.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then made an announcement among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saying, “O people of the trench, indeed Jaabir has prepared a feast, so come quickly.”

Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates his feelings at that time saying, “Only Allah knows how much of embarrassment I was overcome with. I thought to myself, ‘The whole nation has come to (eat) only one saa’ of barley and one goat.’” He thus proceeded home in this state of anguish and concern. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to tell his wife not to remove the pot from the stove and not to take out the bread from the oven until he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) arrived.

When he entered, he addressed his wife exclaiming, “You have been disgraced (i.e. you will soon be disgraced when there is not enough food). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has come to you with all the people of the trench.”

Initially, Sayyidah Suhaimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) did not know that her husband had informed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) how little food there was. Hence, she was also thrown into a state of shock when she heard that the entire army was coming to partake of so little food and thus reprimanded him. However, when he explained to her that he had done as she had told him, she asked him, “Did he ask you how much of food you have?” When he replied in the affirmative, she immediately felt a sense of relief and commented with complete conviction, “Allah and His Rasool (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) know best. We have informed him of what we have.” Hearing these conviction-filled words of his wife, Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also relieved.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then arrived and Sayyidah Suhaimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) gave him the dough. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) placed his blessed saliva in it and made du‘aa of barakah in it. He did the very same with the pot of food. He then instructed Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to call someone to assist his wife in baking the bread. Thereafter, he instructed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to enter the house without crowding.

Hence, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) came in ten at a time. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) began breaking pieces of bread and placing meat on it whilst keeping the contents of the pot and oven concealed. In this manner, approximately one thousand Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) ate from this little food until they were all satiated and the food had not decreased in the least.

Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates, “I take an oath by Allah, they ate until they left it and dispersed whilst our pot was still boiling as it was and our dough was still baking as it was (before they had eaten).”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then instructed the wife of Saayidah Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “Eat and gift others as well. For indeed, hunger has afflicted the people.” They thus ate and sent food for their neighbours as well. However, once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left their home, the barakah (which caused the pot to remain full) also left.

(Saheeh Bukhaari #4101 & #4102, Fat-hul Baari and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 7, pgs. 39 – 44)

Lessons:

1. This story highlights the remarkable conviction that Sayyidah Suhaimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had in Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Logically it would have been impossible to feed so many people with the amount of food that they possessed and this would have resulted in them feeling embarrassed. Therefore, she was initially worried when she came to know how many people were coming. However, as soon as she found out that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had called them all despite knowing the amount of food, she felt relieved and placed her reliance on Allah Ta‘ala. Moreover, she expressed such words of conviction that brought relief to her husband as well. We too should imbibe within us this quality of reliance and trust in Allah Ta‘ala in all matters. By doing so, Allah Ta‘ala will make all our affairs easy and help us in ways we may not even expect.

2. There is great barakah (blessings) in every aspect of the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We may not have his blessed saliva, but we do have his sunnah way of life, which is also a part of him. If we bring his sunnah into our lives and adopt his lifestyle, we will also enjoy the divine blessings of Allah Ta‘ala.