Is there a hadith meaning “It is enough as extravagance to eat whatever you wish”? If yes, is it regarded as extravagance/waste for people who are well off to eat until they are full, without harming their health?
Dear Brother / Sister,
According to what Ibn Majah reports from Hz. Anas, the Prophet (pbuh) said,
“It is extravagance to eat anything you want.”(Ibn Majah, At’ima, 51)
It is stated in Zawaid that this hadith is weak. (ibid)
The meaning of the hadith might be as follows:
It is extravagance/waste to eat everything one sees acting upon the desires of his soul and with a false appetite though he does not need.
Extravagance, in a sense, means to eat what is not useful for the body. It is known that it is generally harmful to the stomach and to the body to fill the stomach with various foods in order to fulfill all wishes of the soul.
"O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship!” (al-Baqara 2/172)
As it is stated in the verse above, it is permissible to eat all kinds of halal food. However, it is necessary to act moderately while eating and drinking and to avoid waste and extravagance as it is the case in all issues. This stated is expressed as follows in the Quran:
“…Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (al-A'raf, 7/31)
Every deed has an aim; intention has a great duty in determining the value of the deeds that are done. Food will be strength for any aim for which it is eaten. Therefore, what is meant by eating is not being dominated by the soul by taking pleasure but gaining strength to worship Allah. That is, eating should be regarded as a means, not as an end. What is dangerous in eating and drinking is to commit sins due to having a full stomach.
Questions on Islam
- Will benefitting from worldly boons decrease the boons in the hereafter?
- Will you explain the attitude of the Prophet (pbuh) in the face of wasting/extravagance?
- What are the benefits of eating and drinking a little? What should be the criterion for eating?
- Evaluation about throwing bread away and wasting: Is it not a sin to throw away bread?
- Evaluation about throwing bread away and wasting: Is it not a sin to throw away bread?
- Halal and clean food is mentioned in the Quran. What do “Halals are certain” and “clean food” mean?
- Is it true that the names of the people given to them and the food that they eat affect their disposition (fitra)? Is there any relation between the name and the person named; the food and the one who eats it?
- What is the criterion for extravagance and generosity? How can we distinguish between extravagance and generosity?
- What is the sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) regarding eating?
- Is it true that eating between times of asr (afternoon) and maghrib (evening) is forbidden? What are the appropriate manners for eating? Could you explain?
