Abdul Hameed bin Saifi narrates from his father, and he from his grandfather, that Sayyiduna Suhaib (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and in front of him were placed dry dates and bread. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Come closer and eat. So he began to eat, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: Indeed, your eye is ill. He said: O Messenger of Allah! I eat from the other side. Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) smiled.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب آفات اللسان / 9922
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اسناده محتمل للتحسين، أخرجه ابن ماجه: 3443 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 23180 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 23567»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The wording of the narration in Ibn Majah is as follows: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to him: ((Do you eat dates while you have an eye ailment?)) … So you eat dates, while your eye is afflicted.
Dry dates have to be chewed with some force, and this causes discomfort to the eye.
By "the other side" is meant to chew from the other side; in reality, this Companion spoke informally, which is why the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam smiled.