REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — How many servings of food for a full stomach is according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW? During this time it is probably popularly known that the Prophet Muhammad taught that when a person eats, he must stop before he is full.
Abu Hurairah actually ate until he was full in the presence of the Prophet. Even the other Companions of the Prophet Muhammad often ate many times until they were full, therefore, satiety after eating is sometimes allowed.
However, it should be noted that the satiety felt by Abu Hurairah and other companions was not a common circumstance. That is, it is not their custom.
Ibn Hajar explained by drawing from Al Qurthubi who told the story of Abu Al Haitsam. Once, Prophet Muhammad and his companions slaughtered sheep and they ate until they were full. This proves that eating until you are full is allowed.
Even so, what is hated is when satiety causes the lazy and reluctant to stand up to worship. This hated trait could rise to a ban based on the level of damage caused.
Ibn Qayyim explained that there were three categories of food. First, take as much as desired. Second is to cross the line enough but not reach a level of adverse satisfaction. Third, which is more than that. In short, according to Ibn Qayyim, the three modes of food are desire, sufficiency, and primacy.
In the hadith narrated by Imam Tirmidzi, it is explained that the Prophet taught to fill the stomach with one third of food, one third of drink, and another third of breath. This is what brings the most benefits to the body and liver.
Because, if the stomach is full of food, then the space for water becomes narrow. And when that narrow space is given water, the body becomes depressed, it can trigger stress, and cause fatigue from carrying heavy loads. This condition can make the liver damaged and lazy to work.
In the hadith of Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib narrated by Imam Tirmidzi, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
مَا مَلَأ آدَمِي وِعَاء شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْن، بِحَسْب اِبْن آدَم لُقَيْمَات يُقِمْنَ صُلْبه، فَإِنْ غَلَبَ الْآدَمِيّ نَفْسه فَثُلُث لِلطَّعَامِ، وَثُلُث لِلشَّرَابِ، وَثُلُث لِلنَّفَسِ
“There is no worse place filled by man than his stomach. Enough for Adam's son a few bribes alone to enforce his spine. If not, then a third (of his stomach) for his food, another third for his water, his drink and another third for his breath.”
The word 'one-third', which is spoken several times in the hadith, can be understood as a portion or portion that is actually plentiful and maximum during a meal.