37/10. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4145 — Dates, Water, and Good Neighbors
The livelihood of the family of Muhammad (saws)
Hadith About Simple Living and Good Neighbors
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4145
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4145
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ لَقَدْ كَانَ يَأْتِي عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الشَّهْرُ مَا يُرَى فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِهِ الدُّخَانُ . قُلْتُ فَمَا كَانَ طَعَامُهُمْ قَالَتِ الأَسْوَدَانِ التَّمْرُ وَالْمَاءُ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لَنَا جِيرَانٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ جِيرَانُ صِدْقٍ وَكَانَتْ لَهُمْ رَبَائِبُ فَكَانُوا يَبْعَثُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَلْبَانَهَا . قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ وَكَانُوا تِسْعَةَ أَبْيَاتٍ .
A'isha Narrated from:
There would come a month when no smoke was seen in any of the households of the family of Muhammad (ﷺ). I said: "What did you eat?" She said: "The two black ones - dates and water." But we had neighbors among the Ansar, sincere neighbors, who had domestic sheep, and they used to send some of their milk to us. (One of the narrators) Muhammad said: "And they were nine households."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4145In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 46English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4145
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4145
This hadith about simple living adds another warm detail to the life of the Prophet’s household. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says that a month would pass with no smoke seen in any of the homes of the family of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Their food was dates and water. The hadith also mentions sincere neighbors from the Ansar who had sheep and would send milk to them. So the lesson is not only about little food. It also shows neighborly kindness. The family of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) lived simply, and good neighbors helped with what they had. This hadith reminds us to be thankful for food, to value simple meals, and to be caring neighbors.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet’s family sometimes lived on dates and water.
- Good neighbors can be a real blessing in hard times.
- Sharing food, even milk, can bring comfort to others.
- Simple living can still include kindness and care.
