If the dead were asked the reason for their death, they would've answered, "OverEating"

As'salaamu alaykum
Insha Allaah this serves as a reminder to myself as well as others to be mindful of our eating habits.

Commentary of Hadeeth #47
By Imaam Ibn Rajab
Al Miqdaad ibn Ma'dy Karib ( radhiyallaahu 'anhu) narrated: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) saying: "The son of Aadam never filled a vessel more vicious than his stomach. It is sufficient for a son of Aadam to eat enough food to provide for his essential needs. If it is inevitable to eat more than that, he shall fill one third (of his stomach) with food, one third with drink, and leave one third (empty) for breathing (comfortably)."

{At Tirmidhee Kitaabuz Zuhd #2380} He labeled it as "good and authentic." It was also recorded by Al Mubaarak in Kitaabuz Zuhd #603, by Al Bayhaaqi in his Shu'ab al Eemaan #5648, 5650 and by At Tabaraani 20/274.

The Importance of this Hadeeth
This hadeeth is a basis of three principles medicine. It is narrated that when the physician Ibn Masawayh read this hadeeth in the book on Abu Khuthaimah (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) he said , "If people make use of such words, they will be protected from diseases and maladies; hospitals and pharmacies will have no patients." He said this because overeating is reason for all diseases .

Al Haarith ibn Kildah, a prominent 'Arab physician said, "Diet is the mother of medicine and overeating is the mother of illness."

Al Haarith also said , "That which kills human beings and annihilates animals in the wilderness is eating food while the stomach is still full of undigested food."

It is also quoted, "If the dead were asked what the reason was for their death, they would've answered, "overeating."

These are but some of the benefits of diet for having sound health. As for the heart, little food brings about tender hearts, sound understanding, and humility. A small amount food also decreases bodily desires and anger. Too much food results in just the opposite effect.

Ibn 'Umar (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "I have not been completely satiated for the last four months."

'Amr ibn Qays (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "Beware of overeating, it hardens the hearts."
Salamah ibn Sa'eed (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "Men use to be criticized for overeating as much as they were criticized for committing sins."

Muhammad ibn An Nadr al Haarithy (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "Hunger leads to piety as fullness leads to arrogance."
Ash Shaafi'ee said (rahimahullaah) said, "I have not been full for 16 years because fullness results in laziness, witlessness and sleepiness. In addition, it weakens one's ability to worship."
Imaam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah)
Jaami' Al 'Uloom wal Hikam
Hadeeth #47
Pages 591 - 592
Trans. by Muhammad Fadl

Commentary of Hadeeth #47 – Part 2
By Imaam Ibn Rajab
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) recommended taking only a little amount of food and said, "It is sufficient for the son of Aadam ('alaihis salaam) to eat enough food to provide for his essential needs."

In Saheehul Bukhaaree and Muslim it is recorded that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam ) said, "A believer eats in one intestine (is satisfied with little food), whereas the disbeliever eats in seven intestines (eats much food)."
{Al Bukhaaree Kitaabul At'imah #5393. Muslim Kitaabul Ashribah #2060 as narrated by Ibn 'Umar ().}

This means that a believer eats according to the etiquettes of Islaamic Legislation and eats in one intestine, whereas a disbeliever gluttonously eats in seven intestines. The Prophet also recommended giving some of one's own food to others in addition to eating a small amount of food. He, (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "The food of one person is sufficient for two, and the food of two people is sufficient for three people, and the food of three people is sufficient for four people."
{Al Bukhaaree Kitaabul At'imah #5392. Muslim Kitaabul Ashribah #178/2058}

The best diet is to fill 1/3 of the stomach with food, 1/3 with drink and leave 1/3 empty for breathing comfortably as was mentioned in the hadeeth narrated by Al Miqdaad (radhiyallaahu 'anhu). Drinking too much brings about sleep and spoils food. Sufyaan ( rahimahullaah) said "Eat whatever you like, but do not drink so as not to feel drowsy."

The Prophet and his companions used to feel hungry and have little food. However, even if this was because they did not have food, it should be known that Allaah prescribed what was best for His Messenger. Therefore, Ibn 'Umar ( radhiyallaahu 'anhumaa) used to imitate the Prophet though he had the ability to eat much food. His father 'Umar (radhiyallaahu 'anhu ) used to do the same before him. In the two books of authentic ahaadeeth (Bukhaaree and Muslim), it is recorded that 'Aaishah (radhiyallaahu 'anhaa) narrated, "The family of Muhammad hadn't eaten bread to their satisfaction for three consecutive days since his arrival at Al Madeenah until he (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) died." {Al Bukhaaree Kitaabul At'imah #5416. Muslim Kitaabuz Zuhd #20/2970}

It is recorded in Muslim that 'Aaishah (radhiyallaahu 'anhaa) narrated that "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had not eaten barely bread to his satisfaction for two consecutive days until he died."
{Recorded by Muslim in Kitaabuz Zuhd #22/2670}

Al Bukhaaree recorded that Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) narrated, "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) did not eat his fill for three successive days till he died."
Abu Hurayrah also narrated that; "Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) left this world without satisfying his hunger, even with barely bread." It is recorded in Saheeh Muslim that 'Umar (radhiyallaahu 'anhu) delivered a sermon in which he mentioned the afflictions of people and said, "I have seen the Messenger of Allaah suffering all day from hunger, not even having poor dates."

In Manaaqib al Imaam Ahmad ( rahimahullaah): Yahyaa bin Mandah narrated that Imaam Ahmad was asked about the Prophet's saying, "One third for food, one third for drink, and one third for breathing…" He answered, "One third for food is the nourishment, one third for drink is the strength, and one third for breathing is the breath of life and Allaah Knows Best!"
Explanation of Hadeeth 47
Imaam Ibn Rajab's (rahimahullaah) Jaami' Al 'Uloom wal Hikam
Page 592 – 594
Trans. By Muhammad Fadl
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