I always overeat! Help!!

 

I always overeat! Help!!

Bismillah

Fahraddin Razi in his tafsir stated concerning the verse '... and do not waste':  It means to eat and drink without excess to a degree that could be considered haram.  One should not spend excessively for food and drink.  One should only eat to fulfil ones physical needs (individually determined) but not to a point causing physical, spiritual or financial harm.

Imam Quturbi stated concerning the same verse:  Not to eat to an amount that would be heavy on the stomach causing one to slack in worship and service to his Lord.  If eating so much caused one to miss a prayer, due to excess sleep resulting from over eating, then that excess amount would be impermissible.

Abud Juhayfa, radiallahu anhu, a companion, ate some bread mixed in with broth along with fatty meat and after eating came across the Messenger of Allah alayhis salaam.  While next to the Messenger of Allah alayhis salam  Abu Juhayfa belched, upon that the Messenger of Allah alayhis salam said:  O' Abu Juhayfa, many satiated people in the world will be those who are most hungry on the Day of Judgement.  After this Abu Juhayfa never ate to this fill until the day of his death.  If he ate during the day he would not eat at night and if he ate at night be would not eat until the following day.  Imam Quturbi noted concerning this:  This is the meaning of the prophetic narration:  The believer eats from one stomach.  This is from the perfection of ones faith.

Imam Quturbi continued:  Some say the statement:  ... and do not waste! means:  do not eat anything illicit.  The prophetic statement:  Excess is eating whenever one has the desire. applies here.   Also, excess is eating after one is satiated.

From Sayyid  Ali Zada's Sharh shariatul Islam :   A'esha radiallahu anha reported that the Messenger of Allah alayhis salam  never at his fill.  It is narrated that it was said to the Prophet of Allah, Joseph alayhis salam:  Do you keep yourself in hunger while holding the treasures of Egypt?  He answered:  I fear lest I forget hunger!  It has been narrated from the Messenger of Allah alayhis salam:  Do not kill the hearts by excessively eating and drinking for the heart is like a field that dies if it receives too much water. This ends the quote.

From the above we note that moderation is necessary, particularly when it comes to eating.  The believer takes what he needs, each individual determining that his or herself. One should make an effort to not be excessive, this is closest to the prophetic ideal and example.  Since we live in a society of excess many of us have become used to such a life style, this however is no excuse for us to continue such a style of living. Excess can lead to the doubtful which leads us eventually to the illicit.  May Allah tala give us tawfiiq to follow closely the best of mankind in this affair.