The Ahadith on the Virtues of Watermelon are Fabricated and False
Question: I would appreciate a clarification on the authenticity of the following hadiths, which have recently spread across social media networks:
Watermelon (or Habhab, as it’s known in some regions). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “You must eat watermelon, for it has ten qualities: it is food, drink, a cleanser, a fragrant herb, it washes the bladder, washes the stomach, increases seminal fluid, cuts coldness, and purifies the skin.” It is also narrated from him (peace be upon him): “Eat watermelon as a fruit; for it is a fruit of Paradise, and in it there are a thousand blessings and a thousand mercies, and eating it is a cure for every disease.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “No pregnant woman eats watermelon except that her child will be handsome in face and character.”
Watermelon before food: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Watermelon before food washes the stomach thoroughly and eliminates disease from its root.”
Etiquette of eating watermelon: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Bite the watermelon and do not cut it into pieces; for it is a blessed and good fruit, purifying the mouth, sanctifying the heart, whitening the teeth, pleasing the Most Merciful. Its scent is from ambergris, its water is from Al-Kawthar, its flesh is from Firdaus, and its delight is from Paradise.”
Thank you.
Answer: All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions.
These hadiths and similar ones are all lies attributed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), fabricated. Nothing of them is authentic, and it is not permissible to narrate them except to clarify their falsehood.
Ibn al-Qayyim said in Al-Manar: “Among that which has been partially alluded to are the hadiths praising lentils, rice, fava beans, eggplant, pomegranates, raisins, chicory, leeks, watermelon, carrots, cheese, and Hareesah. There is a whole section in them that is entirely false from beginning to end.”
As-Sakhawi said in Al-Maqasid al-Hasanah: “The hadith: Watermelon and its virtues. Abu Amr An-Nuqafi compiled a section on it, but its hadiths are baseless. Abu Al-Qasim At-Taymi, in his response to Abu Musa Al-Madini, said: ‘The multitude of its chains of transmission only increases its weakness.’ And Al-Nawawi said: ‘It is not authentic.'”
Ibn al-Jawzi said in Al-Mawdu’at: “Nothing authentic has been transmitted regarding the virtues of watermelon, except that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ate it.”
And Allah knows best.
(Islamweb.net #330304)
Saheehus-Seerah 