Thirteenth: Conserving Balance

In food and drink, Allah, exalted be He, said: {Eat and drink, but do not waste by extravagance} (Q. 7:31). The stories and ancient narrations that dispraise the extravagant are so many. Because of the great danger of the extravagant, it was said that all the diseases are collected in the extravagant. Amīr al-Muminīn, peace be upon him, has counted the diseases of extravagant. According to him, they are twenty seven diseases.

I want you to know that the purpose of eating is the permanence of life and to be able to worship. Eating too much prevents the one from worshiping. The pain of hunger, as well, makes the heart too busy to do it. Therefore, the best of the matters are the balanced matters, and the best, the just and the moderate matter is that which tends to satisfy the hunger. At the same time conserving the moderate manner, regarding what he eats, but not to fill the stomach completely and to avoid the pain of hunger.

Yes, as the extravagant is blameworthy, the uglier, greater and more blameworthy than it, is that the food and drink of a human are not permissible. Therefore, he must do his best in avoiding the doubtful matters of the food and drinks, as the worst food is the food that is not permissible. It is considered from the obstacles between the slave and his Lord that which prevents from the accepting him and responding to his prayers. We ask Allah to save us and grant us from his permissible bounties, which dispenses us with the forbidden.