Question

Is this authentic?

Sunnah practices for watermelon:

The messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was gifted a watermelon. He took it sniffed it and said “Allow it to become large.”

 

Answer

This narration has been declared a fabrication by the Muhaddithun.

(Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2, pg. 260. See the next part of the Hadith here)

It is therefore not suitable to quote and should not be regarded as a Sunnah specifically for watermelons.

However, when Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was presented with the first [of any] fruit of the season, he would kiss it, touch it to his eyes and recite a du’a. See here.

The first watermelon of the season would therefore fall under this general Sunnah.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar