22nd October 2026
Sunnah foods are the foods the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ate, loved or recommended, including dates, honey, olive oil, black seed, barley, milk, figs, pomegranates, pumpkin and vinegar. Many are mentioned in the Quran and hadith, and today these sunnah foods and their benefits are also appreciated for their nutritional value.
With so many lists online, it can be hard to tell which sunnah foods of the Prophet ﷺ are rooted in authentic sources. This guide sets out ten, with the source for each, what they are known for, and the etiquette of eating that matters just as much as what’s on the plate. This Ramadan, share the blessing of food with those who need it most: feed a fasting family.
Here is a quick summary of the top 10 sunnah foods in Islam, followed by more detail on each.
Sunnah food | Source | Known for |
Dates | Hadith (Bukhari, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi) | Breaking the fast; natural energy |
Honey | Quran 16:69 | Described as a healing |
Olive oil | Quran 24:35; Tirmidhi | From a blessed tree; healthy fats |
Black seed | Hadith (Bukhari) | A remedy for many illnesses |
Barley (talbina) | Hadith (Bukhari) | Comfort for the sick and grieving |
Milk | Hadith (Bukhari) | The natural disposition (fitrah) |
Figs | Quran 95:1 | Allah swears by them |
Pomegranates | Quran 55:68 | A fruit of Paradise |
Pumpkin | Hadith (Bukhari, Muslim) | A favourite of the Prophet ﷺ |
Vinegar | Hadith (Muslim) | “An excellent condiment” |
Dates are the best-known sunnah food. The Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with fresh dates, or dried dates if there were none, or else a few sips of water (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). He also said that whoever eats seven Ajwa dates in the morning will not be harmed by poison or magic that day (Bukhari). Dates are a source of natural sugars, fibre and potassium, which is why they are such a good way to break a fast.
Allah describes honey as a drink “in which there is healing for people” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:69). It provides quick energy and has long been used as a soothing remedy for sore throats. Honey should not be given to babies under one year old.
The olive tree is described in the Quran as a blessed tree (Surah An-Nur, 24:35), and the Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree” (Tirmidhi). Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and is a staple of the Mediterranean diet.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “This black seed is a healing for every disease, except death” (Bukhari). Also known as kalonji or habbatus sawda, it can be sprinkled on bread or taken as an oil. Black seed is the subject of ongoing research; anyone on medication should check with their GP before taking it in supplement form.
Talbina is a soft porridge made from barley flour cooked in milk or water, often sweetened with honey. Aisha (RA) recommended it for the sick and the bereaved, reporting that the Prophet ﷺ said it soothes the heart of the sick person and relieves some of their sadness (Bukhari). Barley is a good source of soluble fibre.
On the night of Al-Isra wal-Miraj, the Prophet ﷺ was offered milk and wine and chose milk, and Jibril (AS) told him he had chosen the fitrah, the natural disposition (Bukhari). When drinking milk, he would say: “Allahumma barik lana fihi wa zidna minhu” (O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it) (Tirmidhi). Milk is a source of protein and calcium.
Allah swears by the fig and the olive at the opening of Surah At-Tin (95:1), a sign of their honoured status. Figs, fresh or dried, are naturally sweet and high in fibre.
Pomegranates are named among the fruits of Paradise (Surah Ar-Rahman, 55:68). They are rich in antioxidants and make a refreshing addition to iftar.
Anas ibn Malik (RA) saw the Prophet ﷺ picking out the pieces of gourd from a dish, and said he loved it from that day on (Bukhari and Muslim). Pumpkin and squash are good sources of vitamin A.
The Prophet ﷺ asked his family for something to eat with his bread, and when only vinegar was available he ate it, saying: “What an excellent condiment vinegar is” (Muslim). It’s a reminder to be grateful for even the simplest food.
In the Sunnah, how we eat matters as much as what we eat. These manners turn an everyday meal into an act of worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The son of Adam fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for him to eat a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must, then one third for food, one third for drink and one third for breathing” (Tirmidhi). This is especially useful advice at iftar, when it’s tempting to overeat.
➔ Say Bismillah before eating, and if you forget, say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu” (Abu Dawud).
➔ Eat with your right hand and from the food nearest to you (Bukhari and Muslim).
➔ Never criticise food: if the Prophet ﷺ liked something he ate it, and if not, he left it (Bukhari).
➔ Thank Allah afterwards by saying Alhamdulillah.
For more everyday sunnahs, see our top 10 sunnah deeds.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Food for two is enough for three, and food for three is enough for four” (Bukhari). Sharing food brings blessing, and in Ramadan it brings even more: whoever gives iftar to a fasting person receives the same reward as them (Tirmidhi). You can feed a fasting family through Human Appeal.
This Ramadan, follow the Sunnah of sharing what you have, and help more families break their fast with dates, water and a nourishing meal. Donate a food parcel to Feed the Fasting, and read our guide on how to maximise your Ramadan donation. Here for every human. And here for as long as it takes.
In 2026, your mercy supported 485,011 people during Ramadan, providing food parcels to help them break their fast each night.
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The most important sunnah foods are dates, honey, olive oil and black seed, as each is praised directly in the Quran or authentic hadith. Barley (talbina), milk, figs, pomegranates, pumpkin and vinegar are also part of the Sunnah.
Dates, honey, olive oil, milk and black seed are all easy to include in your daily diet: a few dates in the morning, a drizzle of olive oil on food, or a spoon of honey. As with all food, the Sunnah teaches moderation.
The core sunnah foods of the Prophet ﷺ include dates, which he broke his fast with, milk, which he chose on the Night Journey, pumpkin, which he loved, and barley, which he recommended as talbina.
Many sunnah foods are recognised as nutritious: dates contain fibre and potassium, olive oil contains healthy fats and barley is rich in soluble fibre. Their virtue in Islam comes from the Quran and Sunnah, while scientific research into specific health claims, such as those for black seed, is still ongoing. This guide is not medical advice.
