What is the method and reward of asceticism in food, and does delighting in worldly food diminish the bliss of the Hereafter, taking into consideration the Hadith: "By Allah, you will surely be questioned about this bliss," and the saying of some scholars permitting eating without extravagance, and what are the things that help one endure the desire for food?

Asceticism (Zuhd) has three degrees: abstaining from the unlawful (haram) and doubtful matters, then abstaining from the superfluous lawful (halal) things, and then abstaining from everything that distracts one from Allah. Its first steps are avoiding the unlawful and doubtful, then avoiding superfluous food and what is not needed, and that a servant should not eat except what aids them in obedience.

The ascetic in food is content with what alleviates hunger without intending enjoyment. Many ascetics used to eat coarse food, and some could not tolerate that. An ascetic may store lawful food, and this does not take them out of asceticism.

Among the virtues of asceticism are: bringing the love and pleasure of Allah, and preserving the servant's share, ensuring it is complete in the Hereafter, because enjoying the pleasures of this world diminishes the joys of the Hereafter. There is no harm for a person in eating as long as they do not overindulge, but moderation is better and brings greater reward.

Among what aids in asceticism concerning food are: remembering the joys of Paradise and that overindulgence in this world diminishes them, remembering that the food of this world is fleeting, and remembering the hungry and the poor.