The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is enough for the son …

Islam > Hadiths > Virtues and manners > Virtues and Manners

Hadith narrated by Narrated by Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā’i, and Ibn Mājah

Authenticity grade : Authentic

Hadith text: The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his…

عَنْ المِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِي كَرِبَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَا مَلأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ، بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أَكَلاَتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَهُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ، فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِهِ».

Al-Miqdām ibn Ma‘di Karib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to straighten his back, but if he must (fill his stomach), then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath."

Explanation of the hadith: The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his…

Lessons: The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his…

• We should not eat and drink much. This is a principle that combines all principles of medicine, given the numerous illnesses and maladies that result from satiety.
• The purpose behind eating is to maintain one's health and strength, which are necessary for the soundness of life.
• Filling the stomach with food results in physical and religious harmful effects. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Beware of gluttony, for it harms the body and causes laziness toward the prayer."
• Eating, in terms of its ruling, falls into various categories: Obligatory: that which preserves life, and neglecting it would lead to harm. Permissible: what goes beyond the obligatory amount without fear of harm. Disliked: what carries a risk of harm. Prohibited: what is known to cause harm. Recommended: what aids a person in worshiping and obeying Allah. This is summarized in the Hadīth in three levels: 1. Filling the stomach. 2. A few bites or morsels that keep the back straight. 3. His saying: "One-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath." And all of this applies when the type of food itself is lawful.
• The Hadīth is a principle from among the principles of medicine. Since the science of medicine revolves around three foundations-preservation of strength, dietary regulation, and elimination-the Hadīth encompasses the first two of them, as in the statement of Allah Almighty: {Eat and drink, but do not waste, for He does not like the wasteful.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 31]
• The Hadīth demonstrates the perfection of this Shariah, as it includes people's interests concerning their religion and worldly life.
• The sciences of Shariah include the principles of medicine and various types of it, like what is reported on honey and the black seed.
• The rulings of the Shariah contain wisdom and are based on the principle of warding off evils and bringing about benefits.

Categories : Condemning Whims and Desires