How many hours did the Prophet sleep and what did he eat?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

1.a) Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Rest during the night.

It is reported from Aswad ibn Yazid (RA) as follows:-

I inquired from Aisha (RA) about the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) night prayers as to what was his practice regarding these. She said:”After the I’sha Salah he used to take rest in the early part of the night. Thereafter, he would say the Tahajjud Salah until the last part of the night when he would also say the Witr. Then he used to retire to bed, and, if he desired, he would have intercourse with any one of his wives. then, after the Fajr prayer call he would take bath and go for the Fajr prayer. (Shamail)

1.b) Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Rest during the day.

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to make Qailula (rest after lunch for a brief period). (Bukhari)

2) The food that Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to consume:

Vinegar:

It is reported from Aisha that once the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) observed:”What a good curry the vinegar is.” (Shamail)

Olive oil:

Abu Usayd (RA) reports that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Use olive oil for eating and also for massaging because it is an oil of an auspicious tree.”(Shamail)

Mutton:

Abu Usayd (RA) reports :”I cooked mutton for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Since he liked foreleg-meat………..”(Shamail)

Barley bread:

Ibn Qayyim stated that once when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came home , the wife offered bread for eating and so he asked if some curry was also there…. (Mawahib 85)

Pumpkin:

It is reported from Anas (RA) that pumpkin increases intelligence; he also reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) amongst all foods, liked pumpkin most. (Umdatul Qari)

Imam Bukhari has given the following heading: “To partake dishes of 2 colours and 2 kinds”.
and he has recorded a Hadith that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to eat cucumber and dates together.
In another place Watermelon and dates. Similarly, the Prophet’s taking dates with butter is also proven. (Shamail)

For more details please refer to Shama’il Tirmidhi: http://www.inter-islam.org/hadeeth/stmenu.htm

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

————————————–
Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK