36/39. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2371 — Stones from Hunger
What Has Been Related About The Subsistence Of The Companions Of The Prophet (s.a.w) And His Family
Hadith About Stones Tied from Hunger
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2371
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2371
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي زِيَادٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَيَّارُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، قَالَ شَكَوْنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْجُوعَ وَرَفَعْنَا عَنْ بُطُونِنَا عَنْ حَجَرٍ حَجَرٍ فَرَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ حَجَرَيْنِ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
Abu Talha Narrated from:
We Complained To The Messenger Of Allah(S.A.W) Of Hunger And We Raised(Our Garments) From Our Stomachs (Exposing) A Stone (On Each Of Us). So The Messenger Of Allah(S.A.W) Raised (His Garment Exposing) Two Stones.
[1] They would strap stones to their stomachs due to severe hunger since it would help alleviate the suffering.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2371In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 68English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2371
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2371
This hadith about stones tied from hunger is very direct. Abu Talhah said they complained to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) about hunger and raised their garments from their stomachs, showing that each had one stone. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) then raised his garment and showed two stones. The narration shows that he shared hardship with them and even bore more hunger than they showed. It should be read with care and respect, without turning it into a rule beyond the text. For people searching hadith about the Prophet’s hunger, this report gives a clear image of patience, shared difficulty, and the reality of hardship among the early Muslims.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet shared hardship with his companions.
- The companions openly complained of hunger to the Prophet.
- Patience in hardship can be seen through real struggle, not empty words.
