The Prophet Described (Part-2)
Selections of the ahadith below are from Shama’il Tirmidhi by Imam al-Tirmidhi, commentary by Muhammad Zakariyyah Kandhelwi, translated by Muhammad ibn-‘Abdur-Rahman Ibraheem, published by Islamic Book Service, New Delhi, India. Notes are by the compiler and the numbers at the end of the hadith are those in the original.
1] Masruq says: “I went to ‘A’ishah. She ordered food for me and began saying ‘I never eat a stomachful but feel like crying, then I do cry?’ Masruq asked: ‘Why do you feel like crying?’ She replied: ‘I remember that condition of the Messenger of Allah, on whom be peace, on which he left us for the next world. I swear by Allah that he never filled his stomach twice in one day with meat or bread’.” [140]
2] ‘A’ishah says: “The Prophet once said: ‘What a nice curry vinegar is.’” [143]
Commentary
The reason being there is not much trouble in it. Bread can easily be eaten with it. It is always easily available. It also keeps away formalities. Besides, one lives in this world for a little while. Vinegar has many benefits in it. It is an antidote for poison. It stops phlegm and gall. It helps digest food, kills the worms of the stomach and creates a good appetite. Due to its cold effect, it may not be good for some people. But it surely is a good curry which is obtained easily. In whatever way it is praised, its full benefits cannot be emphasised. It is stated in a hadith that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam ate it and said: ‘What a wonderful curry it is’. In another hadith it is stated that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam made du’aa for barakah in it and said: ‘It was the curry of the previous ambiyaa also.’ In one hadith it is stated, ‘The house that has vinegar in it, will not be in need,’ i.e., that house will not be in need of curry. These narrations have been mentioned in the Jam’ul Wasaa-il from Ibn-Maajah. (From the original)
3] ‘A’ishah says: “The Prophet loved sweets and honey.” [154]
Commentary
Halva here apparently means anything sweet. Some are of the opinion that it is a special type of halva that is made of sweetmeats and ghee etc. The first person to present halva to Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam was Sayyidina ‘Uthman Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam liked it. This halva was made of flour, ghee and honey. Sugar was not commonly used in those times. Sweetening agents were derived from honey or dates. (From the original)
4] Umm-Salamah says: “I presented a roasted side portion of meat to the Prophet. He ate it and (thereafter) performed salah (Prayer), without performing wudhu (ablution). [155]
Commentary
It is found in some ahaadith that things cooked on fire nullifies the wudu. This was also the madh-hab of the ‘ulama mutaqaddimeen. The madh-hab of the Khulafaa Raashideen, the four imams and the majority of the ‘ulama is that those ahaadith wherein the necessity of wudu is mentioned has been abrogated. This hadith of Sayyiditina Umm Salamah Radiyallahu ‘Anha also supports the madh-hab of the majority that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam did not perform wudu again (after eating the cooked meat) before salaah. (From the original)
5] Anas ibn-Malik reports: “The Prophet performed the walimah (marriage feast) of Safiyyah with dates and (an unfermented) drink made of barley (Saweeq in Arabic).” [168]
Commentary
(Saweeq – sattu – is a drink made of parched barley). Sayyiditina Safiyyah bint Hu-yay bin Akhtab Radiyallahu ‘Anha was from a Jewish family and from among the offspring of Harun ‘Alayhis Salaam. In the 7th year Hijri after the Battle of Khaybar, she was brought as a slave. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam freed, and married her. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam once said to her: “Your grandfather (Harun ‘Alayhis Salaam) is a Nabi. Your uncle (Musa ‘Alayhis Salaam) is a Nabi, and your husband is a Nabi.” The walimah was performed whilst on a journey. What was served in the walimah? Different sayings are narrated in the ahaadith. In some it is narrated that Hayse which is a type of sweet dish, was served. In some cheese is mentioned. It is apparent, since they were on a journey, therefore whatever was available at breakfast time by Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and his close associates, was included in the walimah (Walimah is a fest normally held on the day after the wedding). (From the original)
