Hadith Text & Reference

"I heard the Messenger of Allah (S.a.w) saying:'The human does not fill any container that is worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what will support his back. If this is not possible, then a third for food, a third for drink, and third for his breath."

Book: Chapters On Zuhd

Author: Jami' at-Tirmidhi

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2380

Commentary on the Prohibition of Overeating

The Prophet (ﷺ) compares the stomach to a container, indicating that excessive filling leads to spiritual and physical harm. Scholars explain that overeating hardens the heart, weakens intellect, increases desires, and makes worship burdensome.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali states: "The worst container a person fills is his stomach, for it leads to laziness in obedience and strengthens the means to sins." This aligns with the principle that moderation in worldly matters is essential for spiritual excellence.

The Wisdom of the Three-Part Division

The recommendation to divide the stomach into thirds contains profound medical and spiritual wisdom. Al-Munawi explains: "One third for food, one third for drink, and one third for breath preserves health, aids digestion, and maintains lightness for worship."

This teaching reflects the balanced approach of Islam between bodily needs and spiritual objectives. The "breath" mentioned refers to leaving space for comfortable breathing and preventing discomfort that distracts from remembrance of Allah.

Practical Application in Daily Life

Scholars derive from this hadith that one should eat only what sustains the body sufficiently for worship and daily duties. Imam Ghazali emphasizes that the purpose of eating should be to gain strength for obedience to Allah, not mere pleasure.

The phrase "support his back" refers to eating enough to maintain physical strength. When this minimum cannot be maintained, the three-part division becomes the maximum limit, teaching us to always eat less than our full capacity.

Connection to the Concept of Zuhd (Asceticism)

This hadith appears in "Chapters on Zuhd" because it teaches detachment from excessive worldly pleasures. True zuhd isn't starvation but avoiding extravagance. As Ibn al-Qayyim states: "The best of matters are the middle ones."

The Prophet's guidance demonstrates that zuhd regarding food means taking what is necessary while avoiding both excess and deficiency. This balanced approach preserves health for worship while preventing attachment to temporal pleasures.