Narrated Abu Huraira: By Allah except Whom none has the right to- be worshipped, (sometimes) I used to lay (sleep) on the ground on my liver (abdomen) because of hunger, and (sometimes) I used to bind a stone over my belly because of hunger. One day I sat by the way from where they (the Prophet and h is companions) used to come out. When Abu Bakr passed by, I asked him about a Verse from Allah's Book and I asked him only that he might satisfy my hunger, but he passed by and did not do so. Then `Umar passed by me and I asked him about a Verse from Allah's Book, and I asked him only that he might satisfy my hunger, but he passed by without doing so. Finally Abu-l-Qasim (the Prophet ) passed by me and he smiled when he saw me, for he knew what was in my heart and on my face. He said, "O Aba Hirr (Abu Huraira)!" I replied, "Labbaik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said to me, "Follow me." He left and I followed him. Then he entered the house and I asked permission to enter and was admitted. He found milk in a bowl and said, "From where is this milk?" They said, "It has been presented to you by such-and-such man (or by such and such woman)." He said, "O Aba Hirr!" I said, "Labbaik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Go and call the people of Suffa to me." These people of Suffa were the guests of Islam who had no families, nor money, nor anybody to depend upon, and whenever an object of charity was brought to the Prophet , he would send it to them and would not take anything from it, and whenever any present was given to him, he used to send some for them and take some of it for himself. The order off the Prophet upset me, and I said to myself, "How will this little milk be enough for the people of As- Suffa?" thought I was more entitled to drink from that milk in order to strengthen myself, but behold! The Prophet came to order me to give that milk to them. I wondered what will remain of that milk for me, but anyway, I could not but obey Allah and His Apostle so I went to the people of As-Suffa and called them, and they came and asked the Prophet's permission to enter. They were admitted and took their seats in the house. The Prophet said, "O Aba-Hirr!" I said, "Labbaik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Take it and give it to them." So I took the bowl (of Milk) and started giving it to one man who would drink his fill and return it to me, whereupon I would give it to another man who, in his turn, would drink his fill and return it to me, and I would then offer it to another man who would drink his fill and return it to me. Finally, after the whole group had drunk their fill, I reached the Prophet who took the bowl and put it on his hand, looked at me and smiled and said. "O Aba Hirr!" I replied, "Labbaik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "There remain you and I." I said, "You have said the truth, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Sit down and drink." I sat down and drank. He said, "Drink," and I drank. He kept on telling me repeatedly to drink, till I said, "No. by Allah Who sent you with the Truth, I have no space for it (in my stomach)." He said, "Hand it over to me." When I gave him the bowl, he praised Allah and pronounced Allah's Name on it and drank the remaining milk.
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
A platform was constructed under the canopy of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi), upon which the homeless and shelterless seekers of knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith used to reside; these were the Ashab al-Suffah.
Among them was also Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu. In this hadith, there is mention of a manifest and blessed miracle granted to him.
When Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu entertained the thought of impatience—wondering whether any milk would remain for him or not—the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam smiled at this.
Truly, as it is said: ﴿خُلِقَ الانسانُ ھَلُوعاً﴾ ().
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 6452
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
There was a platform in the Prophet’s Mosque where some poor people without homes, shelter, or families used to live, who were called the People of the Bench (Ashab al-Suffah). Among them was Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu, who had devoted himself solely to the acquisition of the knowledge of hadith.
(2)
In this hadith, there is an open miracle of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, that more than seventy People of the Bench became full from just one bowl of milk. Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu displayed a bit of impatience, fearing that perhaps no milk would remain for him, which is why the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam smiled.
(3)
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, through this lengthy hadith, has presented a mere glimpse of the Prophetic era, showing how the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and his devoted Companions radi Allahu anhum used to subsist at that time. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam preferred poverty and hardship over luxury and comfort, as is mentioned in the hadith that a man came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and said: “I love you.” The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “See what you are saying.” He repeated: “By Allah, I love you.” He repeated this statement three times. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “If you are truthful in your claim, then prepare a shield to face poverty, for indeed, poverty rushes towards the one who loves me faster than a flood.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Zuhd, Hadith: 2350)
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 6452
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
When someone is invited, there are two possible scenarios regarding their arrival:
One is that the person comes along with the messenger; in this case, there is no need to seek permission to enter, as is evident from the chapter heading.
If, however, the person does not come with the messenger but arrives alone, then he must seek permission before entering, as clarified in the presented hadith: the people of Suffah did not come with Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu, rather, they came alone after him. Because the wording of the hadith is "they came," it is clear that after Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu called them, the people of Suffah came individually; therefore, they had to seek permission.
This is clarified in another hadith, in which the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
"When someone is invited and comes along with the messenger, then that itself is his permission."
(al-Adab al-Mufrad, Hadith: 1075)
(2)
According to our inclination, this issue can be resolved in light of the prevailing circumstances and conditions; however, caution demands that one should seek permission before entering.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 6246
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation: 1:
From this hadith, it is understood that special care should be taken of those who do not have family dependents or wealth. The love of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for the Ashab al-Suffah was a result of this special consideration. Whenever a gift would come to you, you would include others in it as well. The abundance of milk is evidence of the miracle of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. It is also understood from this that a guest should be encouraged to eat and drink more, and if the quantity of food is sufficient, then eating and drinking to one's fill is also permissible.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 2477