Eating in Islam - Basics

Hadith on Eating: Filling stomach a third for food, drink, air
By Abu Amina Elias / September 21, 2012 / Abstinence العفاف, Drink الشراب, Food الطعام, Greed الشح, Humanity الإنسانية, Manners الادب, Moderation الواسطية, Provision الرزق, Son of Adam ابن آدم, Temperance الزهد
Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.”

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2380

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Tirmidhi

عن الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِيكَرِبَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أُكُلَاتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِهِ

2380 سنن الترمذي كتاب الزهد باب ما جاء في كراهية كثرة الأكل

4/188 المحدث الترمذي خلاصة حكم المحدث حسن صحيح في سنن الترمذ