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He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, encouraged gifting food to neigh bors
Abu Tharr (a Companion) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: “O Abu Tharr, if you cook some broth then add more water to it, and give some to your neighbors.”
In another narration he said: “My close friend (the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), advised me if I cook broth to increase its water, then to choose one of my neighbors and give them some of it.
Many people are heedless of this matter and do not give their neigh bors any food, even though they may have cooked more than they need, and will throw the leftovers away. At the same time, some of his neighbors may go to sleep hungry because of their lack of food. This goes against the right of the neighbor and being honorable. Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that he heard the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say:
“He does not believe in me, the one who goes to sleep full while his neighbor is hungry and he is aware of him.”
Anas ibn Maalik narrated that his mother Umm Sulaym said:
“Go to the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and say, ‘If you would like to eat lunch at our home, then feel free.’” So I went and told him, and he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “And those who are with me also?” I said: “Yes.” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to them: “Get up.”
I came back and went to Umm Sulaym and I was surprised by how many people had come with the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. She said to me, “What have you done, Anas?” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered and said: ‘Do you have butter?’ She replied that she did. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told her to bring it.
So I brought it and he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, opened it and said:
“O Allah, increase the blessings in it.” The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Flip it over,” so I did. The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, squeezed it while saying: “In the name of Allah.” I took the pot and over eighty men were able to eat from it. Some of it was left over, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave it to Umm Sulaym and said: “Eat and feed your neighbors.”
