Hadith #5059

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إدْمانُ الشِّبَعِ يُورِثُ أنْواعَ الْوَجَعِ۔

This can be translated as,

Habitual overeating leads to a variety of ailments.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying in light of the Quran.

The word (idmaan) "إدْمانُ" refers to the act of habitually or excessively indulging in something. In this context, it signifies the act of overeating beyond one's needs. The word (ash-shiba'i) "الشِّبَعِ" means satiation or being full. It refers to the state of being satisfied after consuming food. The word (yoorithu) "يُورِثُ" means to inherit or to cause something to be inherited. And finally, the word (anwaa) "أنْواعَ" means types or kinds, and (al-wajaa'i) "الْوَجَعِ" refers to ailments or pains.

To understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement, we can turn to the Quran, which provides guidance on the importance of moderation in all aspects of life, including eating. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31),

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

This verse emphasizes the importance of moderation in our actions, including eating and drinking. It warns against indulging in excess, as it is displeasing to Allah. Overeating not only leads to physical ailments but also has spiritual and psychological consequences. It can lead to laziness, lack of focus in worship, and an unhealthy attachment to worldly desires.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), saying,

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the role of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in guiding the believers towards what is right and forbidding what is wrong. One of the aspects of his guidance was to encourage moderation in all matters, including eating. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself practiced moderation in his diet, and he advised his companions to do the same.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate of knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of overeating. He recognized that excessive indulgence in food not only harms the physical health but also affects one's spiritual well-being. It leads to a variety of ailments, both physical and spiritual, such as obesity, heart diseases, laziness, and a lack of focus in worship.

Imam Ali's statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to adopt a balanced and moderate approach to eating. It encourages us to be mindful of our food intake, ensuring that we eat to nourish our bodies rather than indulging in excessive consumption. By doing so, we can maintain good health, fulfill our religious obligations with focus and devotion, and avoid the negative consequences of overeating.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the habit of overeating, which leads to a variety of ailments. This statement aligns with the Quranic teachings on moderation and the importance of avoiding excess in all aspects of life. By practicing moderation in our eating habits, we can maintain physical health, enhance our spiritual well-being, and fulfill our obligations as Muslims. May Allah guide us all towards the path of moderation and bless us with good health and well-being.