What is the authenticity of the story of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, giving a child seven dates after his return from one of the battles, along with details related to these dates, starting with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asking for food for three hungry Companions, when Bilal found only seven dates, and how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, blessed these dates so that the three Companions ate until they were full, and the dates did not decrease but remained seven, and how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, fed an entire army from them, then gave those dates to a child after his return to Medina? And is it true that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, married a man from his Companions and pawned his shield for thirty sa's of barley, and that they ate from it for half a year and it did not decrease, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Had they not measured it with the measuring instrument, they would have eaten from it for the rest of their lives"?
The first story was narrated by Al-Waqidi from Irbadh ibn Sariyah. It speaks of the multiplication of dates for the Prophet (PBUH) and three of his companions in Tabuk, where they were satisfied with seven dates that remained as they were. However, its chain of narration is very weak because Al-Waqidi and Ibn Abi Sabrah are accused of fabrication.
The second story was narrated by Al-Hakim and Al-Bayhaqi from Nawfal ibn Al-Harith ibn Abd Al-Muttalib. It speaks of Nawfal seeking the Prophet’s (PBUH) help to get married, so a shield was pawned to obtain barley. They ate from it for half a year and found it to be as it was. Its chain of narration is weak.
These two stories are superseded by what Muslim narrated from Jabir, that the Prophet (PBUH) fed a man half a wasq of barley. The man, his wife, and their guest kept eating from it until they measured it. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Had you not measured it, you would have eaten from it and it would have remained for you."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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