What is Talbina?
Talbina is a food consumed at the time of the prophet and has been mentioned in hadith mainly for the purpose of being consumed when one is grieving. Talbina is a nutrient-rich porridge made from barley flour that has been consumed for centuries in Islamic cultures.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا فَاجْتَمَعَ لِذَلِكَ النِّسَاءُ، ثُمَّ تَفَرَّقْنَ، إِلاَّ أَهْلَهَا وَخَاصَّتَهَا، أَمَرَتْ بِبُرْمَةٍ مِنْ تَلْبِينَةٍ فَطُبِخَتْ، ثُمَّ صُنِعَ ثَرِيدٌ فَصُبَّتِ التَّلْبِينَةُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ قَالَتْ كُلْنَ مِنْهَا فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ التَّلْبِينَةُ مَجَمَّةٌ لِفُؤَادِ الْمَرِيضِ، تَذْهَبُ بِبَعْضِ الْحُزْنِ ”.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5417 (Book 70, Hadith 45)
Recipe
Here’s a recipe for you to make Talbina at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of barley flour
- 3 cups of water or milk (or a combination to your preference)
- Honey or other sweetener to taste
- Cinnamon, cardamom, or other spices to add flavour (optional)
Instructions:
- In a pot, mix the barley flour with the water or milk until the mixture is smooth
- Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook for around 10-15 minutes, or until the porridge thickens to your desired consistency
- Add honey or any other sweetener and spice to taste, stirring well to combine
- Serve hot and enjoy
You can also add toppings, such as dried fruits, chopped nuts, or seeds, to add some extra nutrition, texture, and flavour to the dish. For a thicker consistency use more milk and for a thinner consistency use more water. Talbina makes for a nutritious and delicious breakfast or as a comforting snack or dessert.
Benefit of Talbina for a grieving person
Barley flour is the main ingredient in Talbina and looking at the breakdown of barley flour we can see why it would be good to consume during times of sadness or when one is feeling down, as mentioned in the Hadith. Barley flour is a good source of magnesium which is a calming nutrient and helps to relax muscles and the heart and can be helpful during these tense periods. It plays a role in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and can help promote feelings of well-being. A cup of barley flour provides 39% of your daily allowance (163mg).Barley flour is also a good source of Niacin. Niacin also known as vitamin B3 is good for keeping the nervous system functioning properly and helps with fatigue and depression. A cup of barley flour provides 34% of your daily allowance (5mg).
More information on Barley flour can be found here.