As Muslims, we should take our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as our role model in all aspects of our lives. One of these aspects is his choice of different types of food. This article will discuss the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favorite foods and diet, including vegetables, fruits, animals, and other food items he preferred. We will also mention the health benefits of these foods, as well as his favorite dishes.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favourite food and diet
Prophet Muhammad favourite food and diet is affected by the environment he lived in like any human being. He used to eat food familiar to Arabs of his time avoiding only forbidden sections such as wine.
Also, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never ate anything for its taste only but for its benefits as well. By following Prophet Muhammad’s favourite foods, we will not only earn the reward of practicing the sunnah of the messenger of Allah (PBUH), but we will also earn the numerous medicinal and physical benefits of these foods.
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Let’s mention the favourite foods of the Beloved Prophet (PBUH):
1. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favourite vegetables
When we read about the life of the Noble Prophet (PBUH), we do not find extensive mention of vegetables. However, pumpkin and cucumber are mentioned. Here, we will learn about these two vegetables.
Pumpkin (Gourd) was the favourite vegetable to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Noble Prophet (PBUH) loved eating pumpkin as it is shown here in the hadith (Prophet Muhammad Sayings) that Anas Narrated:
“Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) went to (the house of) his slave tailor, and he was offered (a dish of) gourd of which he started eating. I have loved to eat gourd since I saw Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) eating it.”
There are many health benefits of Pumpkin:
It protects effectively against various stomach disorders if consumed regularly, it is very beneficial for patients suffering from constipation, it helps relieve liver pain and it is highly beneficial in urinary problems. It is immensely beneficial for lungs and combats birth defects in humans. Also it serves as a cure for diseases like asthma, blood pressure, some types of cancer and heart ailments. It is rich in vitamins A, C and E that support the immune system and reduce inflammation.
The oil extracted from its seeds is very effective for headaches, useful for hair health, and also induces sleep.
The cucumber is the second type of vegetable mentioned as a favorite vegetable of the Prophet (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also ate dates and cucumbers together. It was found in the hadith that `Abdullah bin Ja`far Narrated:
“I saw the Prophet (PBUH) eating fresh dates with snake cucumbers.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5447)
Health benefits of Cucumber:
Cucumber helps in quenching thirst, curing the inflammation of the stomach and easing down pains of the bladder (breaks bladder and kidney stones and removes gravel) . It soothes the intensity and inflammation of the blood, as well as the liver.
2. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favourite fruits
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) included various fruits in his diet. We will mention here some of these fruits that he honored by making them part of his meals such as watermelon, dates and grapes.
Watermelon was one of Prophet Muhammad’s favourite fruits
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to eat watermelon together with dates. It was mentioned in the Hadith:
Narrated Aisha:
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to eat melon with fresh dates, and he used to say: “The heat of the one is broken by the coolness of the other, and the coolness of the one by the heat of the other.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 3836)
Benefits of Watermelon:
Watermelon prevents heart disease, dehydration and the development of certain types of cancer in humans. It also boosts immunity and protects skin damage.
Dates were one of the essential elements that the Prophet (PBUH) relied on in his diet.
Dates were highly beloved and favored by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He used to receive them as gifts.
Benefits of Dates:
Dates are considered to be very healthy as they include vitamins especially B-6 and useful minerals. They are free from cholesterol and contain very low fats.
Regarding the great benefits of dates, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5445)
Grapes were also one of Prophet Muhammad’s favourite fruits
It is well-established that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) ate grapes as he loved them. One piece of evidence for this is the story of Addas (an Arab pagan) and the Prophet (PBUH). Addas took a plate of grapes and offered it to the Prophet (PBUH), and before the Prophet (PBUH) began eating the grapes, he said, “In the name of God,” whereupon Addas embraced Islam.
Benefits of Grapes
Grapes help in purification of blood, providing strength and energy, strengthening of kidneys, cleaning the bowels, help keep the digestive system healthy and reduce the symptoms of asthma.
3.Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favourite animal
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) liked the meat of many animals such as : camel, goat, chicken, quail, fish, rabbit, and cow. However, the meat he liked the most was the foreleg of goat and the back of camel.
Goat Meat was the most favourite meat of the Prophet (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved eating goat meat the most and this is proved here in this hadith:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Ubayd:
“I cooked a pot of food for the Beloved Prophet (PBUH). He used to like the foreleg, so I presented him with a foreleg. He then said, “Give me another foreleg,” so I gave it to him. Then he said, “Give me another foreleg.”
I said, “O Messenger of Allah (PBUH)! How many forelegs does a goat have?””
He (PBUH) replied,
“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! If you had remained silent, you would have kept handing me forelegs as long as I kept asking.”
(Shama’il al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 160)
Camel Meat was one of the meats that the Prophet (PBUH) liked to eat.
Camel meat was also favourite meat of the Prophet (PBUH) as mentioned in this hadith:
‘Abdullah bin Ja’far told Ibn Zubair, who had slaughtered a camel for them, that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and he (‘Abdullah) said:
“Some people were bringing meat to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and he said: ‘The best meat is the meat of the back.’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3308)
Benefits of eating meat
Meat is full of proteins and minerals that are essential for bone strength and maintaining the human immune system and body tissue.
Other favourite food items to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Besides vegetables, fruits, and meats, there were other types of food that the Prophet (peace be upon him) loved. We will mention some of them here:
1. Barley was commonly eaten by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) liked it very much, and used to have it in the shape of bread.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to spend many nights in a row hungry and his family could find no supper, and usually their bread was barley bread.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3347)
The Prophet (PBUH) also recommended it as a great source of curing illness and weakness.
Benefits of Barley
Barley has multiple benefits, and recent studies have shown some of them, including: lowering cholesterol, treating heart problems, treating depression, treating high blood sugar and blood pressure, and being a laxative and soothing agent for the colon. Research results have also shown the importance of barley in reducing the incidence of colon cancer.
2. Honey was one of the most loved food of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved honey very much, and this is proven by what his wife, Lady Aisha (may God be pleased with her), said in the hadith:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to like sweet edible things (syrup, etc.) and honey.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5614)
Benefits of Honey
The Beloved Prophet (PBUH) also prescribed honey as a remedy for the sick as it was mentioned in the hadith:
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
(The Prophet (PBUH) said), “Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing).” But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5680)
We also find that modern science has proven that honey has many health benefits such as cleaning wounds of discharge, generating fresh tissue, improving cholesterol levels, improving skin complexion, clearing the voice, sharpening eyesight, treating cough, strengthening the immune system and managing high blood pressure.
3. Milk was Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) preferred beverage
The Messenger of God (PBUH) favourite drink was milk, he used to drink goat and camel milk. We find that goat milk was mentioned in this hadith:
Abu Bakr Siddiq reported:
“As we went along with Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina, we passed by a shepherd and Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was feeling thirsty. He (Abu Bakr Siddiq) said: “I milked for him a small quantity of milk (from his goat) and brought it to him (the Holy Prophet), and he drank it and I was very happy.””
(Sahih Muslim 2009a)
Benefits of drinking Milk
There are many benefits in drinking milk as it contains a good amount of Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium that is essential for strong bones. It helps in strengthening memory and vision. It also improves skin complexion and lowers cholesterol levels.
4. Olive and Olive Oil were dietary preferences of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to have olive for himself and also suggested it to others because of its great curing benefits. This hadith shows that the prophet (PBUH) recommended olive and its oil:
Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:
That the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Eat olive and use its oil, for indeed it is a blessed tree.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1851)
Benefits of Olive and its Oil
Olive Oil is highly beneficial for health as it reduces cholesterol and obesity. It also encourages hair growth, supports the digestive system and helps relieve constipation. It enhances the function of the immune system as well.
5. Vinegar was one of the condiments that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) liked to eat
Vinegar is among the favorite foods of the Noble Prophet (PBUH). This is proved here in the hadith:
Jabir b. ‘Abdullah reported that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) asked his family for condiment. They (the members of his household) said:
“We have nothing with us but vinegar. He asked for it, he began to eat it, and then said: “Vinegar is a good condiment, vinegar is a good condiment.”
(Sahih Muslim 2052a)
Benefits of Vinegar
Some of the benefits of vinegar include: it helps relieve stomach inflammation, quenches thirst, prevents the formation of inflammation and swelling in the body, helps in digestion and it purifies the blood.
6. The black seed (black cumin) was also commonly eaten by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) due to its health importance
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to have it as a remedy for all diseases as mentioned in the hadith:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
“I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saying, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5688)
Benefits of Black Seed
Raw black seed helps in the body’s natural healing process, in overcoming disease or maintaining health. It also helps the body to build further resistance against future diseases (strengthens the immune system). Black Seed has the ability to store and restore the body’s energy. It is recommended during lactation as it helps increase milk production. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, so it has powerful effects on the skin and hair
7. Mushroom was a food that was eaten also by the Prophet (PBUH)
The messenger of Allah (PBUH) recommended it for curing eye diseases as it was mentioned in the hadith:
Sa’id bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, “Truffle (edible fungus) is a species of Al-Manna and their water cures eye diseases.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin 1868)
Benefits of Mushroom
Mushrooms may be regarded as a general nutritional supplement and they do not contain any cholesterol.
For other benefits, read also:
Is it permissible to eat mushrooms?
Favourite dishes to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
There are two main dishes that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to eat, these dishes are “Talbina” and “Tharid”. Let’s learn about them here:
Talbina was one of the traditional meals associated with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Talbina is a meal made from whole barley flour (with bran) mixed with a cup of water or milk and it is sweetened with a spoonful of natural honey or dates.
The Prophet (PBUH) liked to eat it and he advised patients to eat it as a medical treatment. It also alleviates the sorrow of the grieving, invigorates and comforts the heart. In this way, treatment with “Talbina” contributes to the prevention of heart and circulatory diseases as mentioned in this hadith:
A’isha the wife of Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said:
“….Eat it, for I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “Talbina gives comfort to the aggrieved heart and it lessens grief.”
(Sahih Muslim 2216)
Tharid was the meal that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) enjoyed to eat
It is a dish made of meat, vegetables, and broth that is poured over broken bread made from barley or wheat.
This hadith shows that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved eating it and considered it the best food:
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:
“The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Many men reached perfection but none among the women reached perfection except Mary, the daughter of ‘ `Imran, and Asia, Pharaoh’s wife. And the superiority of `Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid to other kinds of food.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5418)
Tharid is easy to digest as it is gentle on the stomach. It is also rich in collagen and minerals. Tharid is considered a perfectly balanced meal because every component of tharid contributes something essential: protein from meat ( provides strength), complex carbohydrates from bread ( gives energy), and antioxidants from vegetables ( bring fiber and vitality). It’s a naturally balanced meal that meets the body’s energy needs while maintaining steady blood sugar.
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Conclusion
In this article, we explored the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) favorite foods and diet, including his favourite fruits, vegetables, and animals, as well as his favorite dishes. We also discussed the health benefits of these foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Favorite Food?
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favorite foods included pumpkin (gourd), dates, honey, barley, milk, olive oil, and goat meat, particularly the foreleg. He also enjoyed watermelon with fresh dates, cucumbers, grapes, vinegar, and traditional dishes such as Talbina and Tharid. His diet was simple, balanced, and focused on beneficial foods.
What Fruits Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Eat Most Often?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) frequently ate dates, watermelon, grapes, and fresh dates with cucumbers. Dates were a staple part of his diet and are mentioned in several authentic hadiths. These fruits provided nourishment, hydration, and essential nutrients.
What Was Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Favorite Meat?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) enjoyed various lawful meats, including goat, camel, chicken, fish, rabbit, and beef. However, authentic narrations indicate that he particularly liked the foreleg of goat and the back portion of camel meat.
Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Have a Specific Diet Plan?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not follow a formal diet plan. Instead, he ate moderately, avoided excess, and chose wholesome foods available in Arabia. His diet emphasized balance, gratitude, and consuming beneficial and lawful foods.
What Was Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Favorite Drink?
Milk was among Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) preferred beverages. He drank both goat and camel milk and appreciated its nutritional value. Milk is rich in calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health.
Why Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Recommend Honey?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved honey and described it as a source of healing. Islamic teachings mention honey as a natural remedy, and modern research has shown that it may support wound healing, immune function, and overall wellness.
What Is Talbina and Why Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Recommend It?
Talbina is a porridge made from barley flour mixed with water or milk and often sweetened with honey. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended Talbina for those experiencing grief, illness, or weakness because it provides nourishment and comfort.
What Is Tharid, the Favorite Dish of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Tharid is a traditional dish consisting of bread soaked in broth and served with meat and vegetables. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) praised Tharid, and it is considered one of his favorite meals due to its nutritional balance and ease of digestion.
Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Eat Foods for Health Benefits?
Yes. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) chose foods that were both permissible and beneficial. Many foods associated with his diet, such as dates, honey, olive oil, barley, black seed, and milk, are known for their nutritional and health-supporting properties.
What Can Muslims Learn from Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Diet?
Muslims can learn moderation, gratitude, and healthy eating habits from Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) diet. His food choices emphasized simplicity, nourishment, avoiding excess, and selecting foods that benefit both the body and the mind.
