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: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar