Authentic Narrations regarding Talbina

Basic Talbinah

A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to recommend Talbina for the sick and for the one grieving over a dead person. She (may Allah be pleased with her) used to say, "I heard the Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) saying, ' The talbina gives rest to the heart of the patient and makes it active and relieves some of his sorrow and grief.' "

[Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5325)].

A'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) also said that whenever one of her relatives died, the women assembled and then dispersed (returned to their houses) except her relatives and close friends. She (may Allah be pleased with her) would order that a pot of talbina be cooked. Then Tharid (a dish prepared from meat and bread) would be prepared and the talbina would be poured over it. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) would say (to the women),"Eat from it, for I heard the Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) saying 'The talbina soothes the heart of the patient and relieves him from some of his sadness.' "

[Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5058)].

Hisham's father (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, "A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to recommend talbina and used to say, 'It is disliked (by the patient) although it is beneficial.'"

[Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5326)].

The Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) said, "I encourage you to use that which is disliked but beneficial (talbina) for by the One whose hand Muhammad's soul is in, it cleans the stomach of one of you just as dirt is cleaned from the face with water."

[Mustadrak of Haakim (7455), Saheeh as Dhahabi mentioned in 'Talkhees' taken from Maktaba Shaamilah, See also Mustadrak (8245) whose chain is upon the condition of Bukhaari as Dhahabi mentioned].

A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, "If any of the Messenger's (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) family became ill, the Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) would say, 'It soothes the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart just as one of you cleans dirt off his face with water.' "

[Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (3445), hadeeth is hasan].

A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) said, "You should eat the beneficial thing that is unpleasant to eat (talbina), meaning broth." If any member of the Messenger of Allaah's family was sick, the cooking pot would remain on the fire until one of two things happened, either the person recovered or died."

[Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (3446) hadeeth is hasan].

Recipe For Talbina;

Talbina is made by adding 1-2 tablespoons of barley flour (must be 100% wholegrain barley flour) to one and a half cups of water. Place on low heat for 10-15 minutes (optional: add milk or yoghurt and sweeten with honey). This may also be used as a food thickener for gravy, soups, lasagnes dishes etc. Alternatively you may add 1-2 tablespoons of barley flour (must be 100% wholegrain barley flour) to one and a half cups of milk. Place on low heat for 10-15 minutes (optional: add water or yoghurt and sweeten with honey).

The consistency may be changed according to preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of flour used. More flour may be added to make it thick like a porridge. Alternatively less flour may be added to make a drink like soup.

Article Source - http://blog.albaseerah.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

The recipe source - http://www.healthmeanswealth.co.uk/Talbina_Shop.php 

It is my understanding based upon what Ibn Al Qayyim has mentioned that it was traditionally made with water instead of milk and its consistency was thin like that of a broth and Allah knows best.

Talbinah Porridge is a valuable and healthy breakfast for everyone, particularly these types of patients;

Diabetics and Pre Diabetics -

Reduce the quantity of honey to 1/4 a teaspoon (or less) per serving. Top the talbinah with toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of cinnamon. Or you can grind the sesame seeds and cook both ingredients into the talbinah.

Hypertension or heart diseases -

Serve Talbinah with quince preserve, or sprinkle roasted date stone flour, or roasted ground flaxseeds. Or stir in one tablespoon of pomegranate vinegar or homemade pomegranate molasses made with honey instead of sugar. Eliminate sodium chloride from the diet. Use pink Himalayan salt in all cooking.

Stroke patients -

Add a pinch of turmeric when making the talbinah. Drink Nabeez made with raisins, natural pomegranate juice or cranberry juice.

Patients with chronic pain or arthritis -

Make the talbinah with crushed fresh ginger, a pinch of white pepper and honey.  Drink green tea.

Patients with digestive disorders -

Where the stomach and digestive functions are impaired, make Talbinah thinner in consistency. The sawwiq barley flour should be 100% wholemeal and it can be roasted in a small amount of olive oil before water or milk is added. This helps it assimilate easily. Increase the ratio of water and reduce the ratio of milk. Be sure to add honey.

For those on the road to recovering from an illness -
Make it with ground almonds. These give energy and strength. Top with raisins.

For kids -

Top with ripe sliced banana and drizzle with honey. Make it with cocoa powder. Or stir in date paste and top with flax seeds and chopped nuts.

For those who are very sick, with no hope of recovery (dying) and for their close relatives - 

Talbinah should be provided to them and it can be made with honey.