Abu an-Nadr narrated to us from Abu Khaythamah from abuz-Zubayr from Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said,
“Nabeedh (unfermented fruit juice) would be made for the prophet ( peace and blessings be on him) in a waterskin, but if no waterskin was available, it would be made in a bowl made of stone.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 327. The isnaad of this b.adeeth is saheeh according to the conditions set by Muslim.)
Commentary
The nabeedh mentioned in the hadeeth refers to a mixture of some dates that are soaked in water to sweeten it. The nabeedh has a great benefit in strengthening the body and preserving health. Muslim reports a hadeeth on the authority of’ Aa’ishah who said, “We prepared nabeedh for Allah’s messenger in a waterskin, the upper part of which was tied and it had a hole in its lower part. We prepared the nabeedh in the morning and he would drink it in the evening, and we prepared it in the night, and he would drink it in the morning.”
The reason behind using these particular containers was that the fruit juice would not turn into alcohol as a result of fermentation. The prophet (peace and blessings be on him) forbade using other containers for storing fruit juice as they may cause the juice to ferment and become alcohol.
Source:
Thulaathiyyaat Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reports of Imaam Ahmad that have only three narrators between him and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Saalim as–Saffaareenee al–Hanbalee ~(1114 –1188 AH)