The necessities of one's daily life can be categorized as being of three kinds:
1. That which is excellent in small quantities
2. That which is excellent in large quantities
3. That which varies according to the situation
Being satisfied with a little has been acclaimed by scholars and sages alike as being excellent. Having an excess of anything is an indication of greed,covetousness and gluttony. Excess leads to harm in this life and in the Everlasting Life. Take for example the consumption of excessive food and drink,overindulgence cultivates illness, causes coarseness in the self and dulls the intellect. When one is satisfied with a little it is an indication of contentment and self-control.
The same can be said of excessive sleep, it is an indication of weakness, lack of intelligence and sharpness. The result is that of laziness, squandering one's life in useless pursuits, hard-heartedness, neglect, and this leads to the death of one's heart.Ample proof is found in the sayings of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him and in observation from the sages of bygone eras. These proofs will not be mentioned in full since the knowledge they contain is well known, instead it will be summarized.
The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was the most abstemious of men and encouraged his followers to be satisfied with a little. Al Mikdam, Madikarib's son reported that he said
"The son of Adam does not fill any container worse than his belly. A little is sufficient for the son of Adam to keep his back straight. If there must be more, then a third for his food, a third for his drink and a third for his breath."
The result of excessive consumption of food and drink is excessive sleep.Sufyan At-Thawri observed,
"By partaking in only a little food one is then able to stay awake during the night."
Another advised, " Do not eat of a lot so that you drink a lot, then sleep a lot and lose a lot."
Lady Ayesha, wife of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with her, described the habit of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, saying.
"He never filled his stomach completely. He neither asked his family for food, neither did he desire it. If they fed it to him then he ate. Whatever they served him he accepted and he drank whatever he was given."
Luqman, known for his wisdom (and mentioned in the Koran) said to his son,
"My son, when the intestines are full, contemplation sleeps, wisdom is dulled and limbs hesitate and weaken in worship."
Sahnun said, "Knowledge does not befit someone who eats until he is replete."
The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, told his Companions, "I, myself do not eat seated in a reclining posture" or sitting cross legged or in a comfortable manner. When the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, sat, he sat in a squatting position as if he was going to get up.When the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, slept it was but a little.
He said, "My eyes sleep, but my heart does not sleep."
When he slept, he slept on his right side so that his sleep would be shallow. Sleeping on the left side is easier on the heart and one's organs as they incline to the left side. When one sleeps on the right side, there is a tendency to wake up quickly and is not overcome by deep slumber.
1. That which is excellent in small quantities
2. That which is excellent in large quantities
3. That which varies according to the situation
Being satisfied with a little has been acclaimed by scholars and sages alike as being excellent. Having an excess of anything is an indication of greed,covetousness and gluttony. Excess leads to harm in this life and in the Everlasting Life. Take for example the consumption of excessive food and drink,overindulgence cultivates illness, causes coarseness in the self and dulls the intellect. When one is satisfied with a little it is an indication of contentment and self-control.
The same can be said of excessive sleep, it is an indication of weakness, lack of intelligence and sharpness. The result is that of laziness, squandering one's life in useless pursuits, hard-heartedness, neglect, and this leads to the death of one's heart.Ample proof is found in the sayings of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him and in observation from the sages of bygone eras. These proofs will not be mentioned in full since the knowledge they contain is well known, instead it will be summarized.
The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was the most abstemious of men and encouraged his followers to be satisfied with a little. Al Mikdam, Madikarib's son reported that he said
"The son of Adam does not fill any container worse than his belly. A little is sufficient for the son of Adam to keep his back straight. If there must be more, then a third for his food, a third for his drink and a third for his breath."
The result of excessive consumption of food and drink is excessive sleep.Sufyan At-Thawri observed,
"By partaking in only a little food one is then able to stay awake during the night."
Another advised, " Do not eat of a lot so that you drink a lot, then sleep a lot and lose a lot."
Lady Ayesha, wife of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with her, described the habit of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, saying.
"He never filled his stomach completely. He neither asked his family for food, neither did he desire it. If they fed it to him then he ate. Whatever they served him he accepted and he drank whatever he was given."
Luqman, known for his wisdom (and mentioned in the Koran) said to his son,
"My son, when the intestines are full, contemplation sleeps, wisdom is dulled and limbs hesitate and weaken in worship."
Sahnun said, "Knowledge does not befit someone who eats until he is replete."
The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, told his Companions, "I, myself do not eat seated in a reclining posture" or sitting cross legged or in a comfortable manner. When the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, sat, he sat in a squatting position as if he was going to get up.When the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, slept it was but a little.
He said, "My eyes sleep, but my heart does not sleep."
When he slept, he slept on his right side so that his sleep would be shallow. Sleeping on the left side is easier on the heart and one's organs as they incline to the left side. When one sleeps on the right side, there is a tendency to wake up quickly and is not overcome by deep slumber.
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