Back to search

What is the meaning of the Hadith: "Verily, the most satiated people in this world will be the hungriest on the Day of Resurrection," and does it apply to one who eats his fill daily, and is it considered a punishment, and does it affect rewards, and is asceticism in blessings considered a rejection of them, and what is the ruling on starving oneself without fasting, and is a person rewarded for abandoning a permissible desire?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

In summary, eating has five legal rulings (Ahkam Taklifiyyah) depending on the situation: Wajib (obligatory), Mandub (recommended), Mubah (permissible), Makruh (disliked), and Muharram (forbidden). Wajib is what sustains the body to perform the obligatory duties to one's Lord. Mandub is what aids in acts of obedience. Mubah is the permissible satiation. Makruh is eating slightly more than satiation without causing harm. Muharram is excessive eating that harms the body.

The dispraise of excessive eating and satiation has been mentioned in the Sunnah due to its frequent association with neglecting and becoming lazy in acts of obedience, and because it leads to missing high ranks on the Day of Judgment due to overindulgence in worldly desires. Additionally, the wealthy will be delayed from entering Paradise before the poor because of being held accountable for what they enjoyed. The Prophet's (peace be upon him) and his Companions' practices indicate a preference for asceticism and reducing worldly possessions, even though this was not always out of necessity but rather their choice.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy