37/12. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4156 — Leaves as Food in Hardship
The livelihood of the companions of the Prophet (saws)
Hadith About Hardship: Eating Leaves Until Gums Hurt
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4156
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4156
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ أَبِي نَعَامَةَ، سَمِعَهُ مِنْ، خَالِدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ قَالَ خَطَبَنَا عُتْبَةُ بْنُ غَزْوَانَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي سَابِعَ سَبْعَةٍ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مَا لَنَا طَعَامٌ نَأْكُلُهُ إِلاَّ وَرَقُ الشَّجَرِ حَتَّى قَرِحَتْ أَشْدَاقُنَا .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Utbah bin Ghazwan delivered a sermon on the pulpit and said: ‘I saw myself the seventh of seven with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we did not have any food to eat except the leaves of trees, until our gums hurt.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4156In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 57English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4156
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4156
This hadith about hardship describes a very difficult time with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Utbah bin Ghazwan said that he was the seventh of seven with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and they had no food except leaves from trees. The hunger was so severe that their gums hurt. The hadith is simple, but it gives a strong picture of real pain and limited food. It teaches us to value the ease we have and to remember that the early Muslims faced hard days. The hadith also helps soften the heart toward people who live with hunger. It is not just a story from the past; it is a reminder to be thankful and not waste what Allah provides.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some companions faced severe hunger with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- They ate leaves when no other food was available.
- Hardship can include real physical pain.
- The hadith encourages gratitude and care for those in hunger.
