Hadith #5058

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,

بِئْسَ قَرينُ الْوَرِعِ الشَّبَعُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

What an evil companion of piety overeating is!

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (qareen) "قَرِينُ" in this Hadith refers to a companion or a close associate. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the negative influence of a particular companion, namely (al-wara') "الْوَرِعِ", which can be translated as piety or righteousness. The word (ash-shaba') "الشَّبَعُ" means overeating or excessive consumption of food.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us 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.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to eat and drink but not to be excessive in our consumption. This verse emphasizes the importance of moderation in all aspects of life, including eating. Overeating leads to negative consequences, both physically and spiritually.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

This verse warns against extravagance and wastefulness, which can result from overindulgence in food and material possessions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us of the detrimental effects of overeating on our spiritual well-being. When one indulges in excessive consumption, it becomes a hindrance to maintaining piety and righteousness. Overeating can lead to laziness, lack of focus in worship, and a neglect of one's duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and others.

Furthermore, overeating can also have negative physical consequences. It can lead to obesity, various health issues, and a decrease in overall productivity. By highlighting the evil nature of overeating as a companion to piety, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging Muslims to be mindful of their eating habits and to strive for moderation.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we must ask ourselves whether we are allowing overeating to become a barrier in our spiritual journey. Are we prioritizing our physical desires over our spiritual growth? It is essential to remember that our bodies are a trust from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and we have a responsibility to take care of them in a balanced manner.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims about the negative consequences of overeating on both our spiritual and physical well-being. By emphasizing the importance of moderation, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guides us towards a balanced and mindful approach to food consumption. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in all aspects of our lives.