Hadith #5049

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of gluttony, emphasizing its negative impact on the heart, prayer, and the overall well-being of the body. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (bitnah) "بِطْنَةَ" in the Hadith refers to gluttony or overeating. It is a state of excessive indulgence in food and drink, beyond what is necessary for sustenance. This excessive consumption leads to negative consequences, as highlighted by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

To understand the significance of this warning, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of moderation in all aspects of life, including eating. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah 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 it is permissible to enjoy the blessings of food and drink, we should avoid excessiveness. Overindulgence in eating leads to negative consequences, as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns. Let us explore these consequences in more detail.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that gluttony causes (miqsatun lil-qalb) "مِقْسَاةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ", which translates to hardening of the heart. This refers to the spiritual impact of overeating, where excessive consumption numbs our hearts and distances us from the remembrance of Allah. The heart, which is the center of faith and spirituality, becomes hardened and less receptive to the guidance of Allah.

The Quran supports this concept by reminding us of the importance of a soft and humble heart. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:16), Allah says,

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah?

Overeating hinders this submission and humility, making it difficult for the heart to be receptive to the remembrance of Allah.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that gluttony leads to (maksalatun 'ani as-salah) "مَكْسَلَةٌ عَنِ الصَّلاةِ", which means sluggishness in prayer. When we consume excessive amounts of food, our bodies become heavy and lethargic, making it challenging to perform acts of worship, particularly the obligatory prayers.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of attentiveness and focus in prayer. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45), Allah says,

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

Overeating hampers our ability to be fully present and focused in our prayers, hindering our connection with Allah.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that gluttony is (mufsadatun lil-jasad) "مَفْسَدَةٌ لِلْجَسَدِ", meaning it corrupts the body. Overeating not only affects our spiritual well-being but also has detrimental effects on our physical health. It can lead to various health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, among others.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of taking care of our bodies as they are entrusted to us by Allah. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:87), Allah says,

O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.

Overeating goes against the principle of moderation and transgresses the limits set by Allah for our well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of gluttony and its negative consequences. It highlights the spiritual and physical harm caused by excessive consumption of food and drink. By adhering to the principles of moderation and self-control, we can maintain a healthy balance in our lives, both spiritually and physically. May Allah guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and protect us from the pitfalls of gluttony.