Hadith #5971

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

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

Few are those who increase their consumption of food and don’t fall ill [because of it].

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of moderation in eating and warns against excessive indulgence in food.

The word (ta'am) "طَعَام" in Arabic refers to food or sustenance. It encompasses all types of food and nourishment that we consume to sustain ourselves. The word (akthara) "أَكْثَرَ" means to increase or to exceed. And the word (yasqam) "يَسْقَمْ" means to fall ill or become sick.

This Hadith highlights the negative consequences of overeating and the importance of moderation in our dietary habits. It serves as a reminder to Muslims to be mindful of their food intake and to avoid excessive indulgence, which can lead to various health issues.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of moderation in eating and warns against excessiveness. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 reminds us that while we are allowed to enjoy the blessings of food and drink, we should not go to extremes and indulge in excessiveness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) dislikes those who commit excess and go beyond the limits set by Him.

Excessive eating can have detrimental effects on our physical health, leading to obesity, heart diseases, and other ailments. It can also have negative spiritual and psychological consequences, such as laziness, lack of focus in worship, and a decrease in productivity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of moderation in eating through this Hadith. He encourages Muslims to be mindful of their dietary habits and to adopt a balanced approach to food consumption.

By practicing moderation in eating, we can maintain good health, fulfill our obligations towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and lead a productive and fulfilling life. It is essential to remember that our bodies are an amanah (trust) from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and we should take care of them by nourishing them appropriately.

Let us reflect upon this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to adopt moderation in our eating habits. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to make healthy choices and protect us from the harms of excessive indulgence.