فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنُيَا وَالآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

Physical Ailments

فَصْلٌ فِي هَدْيِهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي الِاحْتِمَاءِ مِنَ التَّخَمِ، وَالزِّيَادَةِ فِي الْأَكْلِ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْحَاجَةِ، وَالْقَانُونِ الَّذِي يَنْبَغِي مُرَاعَاتُهُ فِي الْأَكْلِ وَالشُّرْبِ

Ibn al-Qayyam wrote : Guidance of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم regarding avoiding overeating, eating beyond one's needs, and the principles that should be observed in eating and drinking.

فى "المسند" وغيره: عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "ما مَلأَ آدَمِي وِعاءً شَراً مِنْ بطنٍ، بِحَسْبِ ابنِ آدمَ لُقيْماتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَه، فإنْ كان لا بُدَّ فَاعلاً، فَثُلُتٌ لِطَعَامِهِ، وثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِه، وثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِه".

In Musnad Ahmad and other sources, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "No human ever fills a vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few morsels (bites)to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then let him reserve one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath." )Narrated by Imam Ahmad and an-Nasa’i(

Physical diseases arise from an excess of material substances accumulating in the body, which disrupt its natural functions. This type is the most common and is often caused by consuming food before the previous meal has been fully digested, eating more than the body needs, consuming foods with little benefit and slow digestion, or eating a variety of foods with different compositions in excess. When a person habitually fills their stomach with such foods, it leads to various diseases—some of which are slow to cure, while others heal more quickly. However, if one maintains a balanced diet, consumes only what the body requires, and ensures moderation in both quantity and quality, the body will benefit more than it would from consuming a large quantity of food.

There are three levels of nourishment:

1. Level of Necessity: The amount of food needed to fulfill basic needs.
2. Level of Sufficiency: The amount of food sufficient to sustain the body’s optimal functioning.
3. Level of Excess: Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم advised that a few small bites are sufficient to sustain one’s strength. If one goes beyond this amount, he should fill only one-third of his stomach with food, leave one-third for water, and reserve the final third for breathing. This approach is highly beneficial for both the body and the heart. When the stomach is filled with food, it leaves little space for drink, and if filled with drink as well, it restricts the room needed for breathing. This results in discomfort and fatigue, similar to someone carrying a heavy load. Overeating can also harm the heart, making it sluggish in its obedience and increasing the desire for indulgences that result from a full stomach. Thus, a full stomach harms both heart and body.

قَدْ شَرِبَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ بِحَضْرَةِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنَ اللَّبَنِ، حَتَّى قَالَ: وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ، لَا أَجِدُ لَهُ مَسْلَكًا (أخرجه البخاري في الرقاق, باب كيف كان عيش النبي صلّى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه وتخليهم عن الدنيا)

This advice applies when overeating becomes a habit. Occasionally, however, it is permissible, as evidenced by Abu Hurairah Radi Allaho Anh, who drank milk in the presence of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم until he said, "By the One who sent you with truth, I can’t find a way to drink more." Similarly, the Companions ate in his presence until they were full on multiple occasions.

Excessive eating & eating for satiety weakens the body and its strength, even if it seems nourishing. The body is strengthened not by the quantity of food consumed but by how much it can effectively absorb. The human body is composed of three fundamentals; earthly, airy, and watery elements. For this reason, our beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم divided food, drink, and breath according to these three components; ensuring that each of these essential elements receives its proper balance within the body.