36/10. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 168b — Milk, Wine, and Fitrah
The permissibility of drinking milk
Hadith About Milk and Wine on the Night Journey: Choosing Fitrah
Sahih Muslim : 168b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 168b
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لاِبْنِ عَبَّادٍ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَفْوَانَ أَخْبَرَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُتِيَ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِهِ بِإِيلِيَاءَ بِقَدَحَيْنِ مِنْ خَمْرٍ وَلَبَنٍ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِمَا فَأَخَذَ اللَّبَنَ . فَقَالَ لَهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَاكَ لِلْفِطْرَةِ لَوْ أَخَذْتَ الْخَمْرَ غَوَتْ أُمَّتُكَ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was presented two cups at Bait al-Maqdis on the night of Heavenly Journey, one containing wine and the other containing milk. He looked at both of them, and be took the one containing milk, whereupon Gabriel (peace be upon him) said: Praise is due to Allah Who guided you to the true nature; had you taken the one containing wine, Your Umma would have gone astray.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 168bIn-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 114USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 23, Hadith 4985
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 168b
This hadith about milk and wine on the Night Journey gives a powerful image. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was presented two cups at Bait al-Maqdis: one with wine and one with milk. He looked at both and took the milk. Gabriel then praised Allah, saying that Allah had guided him to the true nature, and that if he had taken the wine, his Ummah would have gone astray. The narration itself connects milk with fitrah and wine with misguidance for the Ummah in that moment. The message is clear and should not be stretched beyond the wording. It teaches the value of guided choice.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was presented with wine and milk on the Night Journey.
- He chose the cup containing milk.
- Gabriel praised Allah for guiding him to the true nature.
- The narration links choosing wine in that moment with the Ummah going astray.
