Musnad Abi Ya'la 2830 — Muhammad bin Sirin (may Allah have mercy on)

Muhammad bin Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him) relates that Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) told him that the news reached Sayyiduna Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had nothing to eat. So he went and hired himself out for a sa' of barley and worked the whole day. Then he brought the barley and said to his wife: "Cook this." She said: "But this is barley (that is, it will not make good bread)." He said: "Make it into khatifah (flour cooked in milk, or porridge)." When she had prepared the food, Sayyiduna Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and instructed him: "Go to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and speak to him privately (so that he alone comes)." He came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and with him (peace and blessings be upon him) were other Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Is the food ready?" He said: "Yes." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Get up (let us go)." So they all stood up. When Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) came back and told Sayyiduna Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) what had happened, he asked: "Did you say this in front of everyone?" He said that he (peace and blessings be upon him) himself had asked: "Is there food?" and I did not like to lie. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) called ten people; they entered and ate their fill. Then he called another ten; they too entered and ate their fill. Then he called another ten; they too entered and ate until they were full, until at the end enough food was left over for the household that they were all satisfied.