The Salafs’ Rejection of Obesity and Gluttony
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
For the last few decades, the rise of obesity among people has grown beyond measure. It’s a sad situation when the people’s government tries to convince them that being at 50% body fat is healthy. Another pathetic reality is a variety at the clothing store stands, “Big and Tall,” with people purchasing the size of 6xl for their shirts. Food being sold at fast food restaurants is available in, “Upsize”. All this and more while the consumers aren’t looking at themselves in the mirror without a shirt. If only some of us would just pause to look at our body’s reality, and then get on scale!
Gluttony is admonished by the Most Wise, “Certainly! Allah will admit those who are monotheistic and do righteous deed to Gardens under which rivers flow, while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode.”[1]
Ibn Attiyah said eating as cattle refers to eating thoughtlessly without attention.[2] This is state of the disbelievers whose only concern is their bellies and private parts. This is the reason Allah compared them to cattle.[3] For that reason, the Muslim must avoid behaving like the disbelievers. If the believer behaves like them and indulges the way they do, then where is the implementation of Iman?!Where are the actions of Islam?! Piggishness with food and drink only increases one’s appetite, thus making it difficult to satisfy. The more a person eats the more sluggish he becomes, and this will cause him to be inactive; therefore, gaining weight.
With that being said, there are times when obesity is genetic, caused by health conditions, high amounts of stress, or even related to one’s environment. When it comes to the environment being the cause, then it is safe to say this is directly linked to the consumption of processed foods and poor dieting. At other times obesity is brought on by a lack of physical activity, not getting enough quality sleep and over-eating. These last three here reasons mentioned is what we will discuss and how becoming obese and over-indulging in your food intake is something the Salaf considered blameworthy.
Some of the reasons, the Salaf held over-eating and obesity as being disliked is the fact that it results in a person being lazy, lethargic, oversleeping, having health issues, and can even disrupt their ability to think clearly. Allah’s help is sought.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said : “On the Day of Resurrection, an obese person will be brought forth whose value to Allah will be less than the wing of a mosquito.[4]
This hadith dispraises obesity caused by over-eating and overindulging luxuries. [5] During the era of the Salaf among the 1st three generations obesity from over-eating and inactivity was something rare. The Prophet (ﷺ) said : “The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, and those who succeed them. He(ﷺ) said this three times. Then after them people will appear overweight, loving obesity, and giving testimony before they are asked for it.[6]
Imam An-Nawawi said: Most of the scholars said the meaning here in this hadith for obesity is being fat and heavy. The people he(ﷺ) described are those who stuff themselves with food up to the point they adorn themselves with obesity. Based on this the scholars have said those who become obese due to their habits are included in this hadith, and not those who inherit it from their genes.[7]
Then after them people will appear overweight, loving obesity…Ibn Hajr said this means they over-eat and over-drink to the point they gain a surplus body fat. Obesity results in a person to be dull-witted in his understanding. People who are weighty find acts of worship burdensome. [8]
Most people who are overheavy don’t place any importance on exercising, but instead pursue their next platter. Ironically, when they do exercise, or decide to join the gym, they ignore the 80% of effort needed to reach their goal: diet! You can’t out train a bad diet.
Nowadays, we sit next to obese people in the masjid, see them in marketplaces and on public transportation while being unphased by their appearance as it has become so prevalent and ordinary. The Salaf would be shocked and disgusted at the sight of a fat and sloppy person. Hakeem ibn Jabir said one day Abu Darda(Radi Allahu anhu) was lying down with his face covered among his companions, when an obese priest walked by them. His companions then said , “ Oh Allah curse him, Look at how big and fat he is. Abu Darda lowered his thowb from his face and asked them, “Who were you cursing?” They said the priest that just walked past us. Abu Darda said, “ Don’t curse anyone” [9]
Unfortunately, today obese attendees in the masjid show up for salah being unable to perform it while standing, thus are forced to sit down and pray. Others just can’t and don’t come that regularly, if they come at all. Ibn Hibban mentioned that being extremely overweight is an excuse to miss the congregational prayer. A man from Ansar said : I am obese; thus I cannot pray with in the masjid. He prepared food for the prophet (ﷺ) and invited him to his house . He said pray here so that I may see how you pray and then I will follow you. The prophet (ﷺ) then got up and prayed two Rakats.[10]
Imam Ash-Shafi used to consider fat and heavy people to be stupid and to always act meaningless. This is what we witness on social media today. Fat people acting goofy like a clown, or dancing on Tik Tok and on other socials. Ar-Rabee’ ibn Sulayman said I heard Imam Ash-Shafa’I say I have never met a fat person with sound intellect, except on one occasion.” I think he’s referring to Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan.
Prophet Musa, Jesus, and Muhammed (ﷺ) weren’t fat. Abu Bakr, Uthman, Ibn Masood, and countless great Imams like Imam Bukhari, Ibn Jarir, and Abu Hanifah were all fit and in shape. They ate their food appropriately. Imam Al-Hafith Ibn Hajr defined how to eat properly in Fathul Bari. He mentioned there are 7 categories for consumption.
1st This includes eating and drinking to sustain life
2nd Eating a little extra to be able to fast and pray. These two categories are obligatory.
3rd Eating a little extra to perform sunnan acts and voluntary acts of worship.
4th This covers eating so that you can work and earn your livelihood.
The 3rd and 4th type of eating recommended.
5th Eating to only fill a 3rd of your intestine. This is permissible.
6th Eating more than a 3rd, and this is hard on the body resulting in excessive sleep. Eating like this is disliked.
7th Overeating to point the body is harmed. This is prohibited.[11]
Ask yourself in which category are you. Think about this. There are people who diet in the health and fitness industry with a diet known as a caloric deficit. i.e they eat less than the required food needed for their BMI[12], but enough to sustain their normal energy level. This method of eating wouldn’t be considered unallowed as the fat reserves in one’s body become energy thus allowing a person to lose body fat and weight.
Abu Ubaid mentioned there are 3 types of people who eat food.
1st Those who eat whenever they want to and whenever food is available. Ignorant people eat like this and this kind of behavior resembles animals.
2nd These kind of people only eat when they are hungry and once the hunger is gone they stop eating . People who eat like this are balanced and are well behaved.
3rd This group here starves themselves so that they can suppress their desires. They only eat when it’s necessary and enough kill their hunger. This is the normal behavior of the righteous and pious.[13]
When eating and drinking we have to remember to avoid going overboard Allah says : “O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink,but don’t waste by extravagance. Certainly, Allah doesn’t like those who waste by extravagance.” [14]
Isn’t it time we combat the terrible health conditions we face and do something about it now ?!! Taking care of your health is something rewarding. Brothers and sisters, we need to exercise, eat right and train. May Allah help us.
Written and prepared by,
Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Meknes, Morocco © 1/18/1446
[1] Muhammad#12
[2] Tafsir ibn Attiyah
[3] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi.
[4] Al-Bukhari(4729)Muslim(2785)
[5] Refer to Tafsir Al-Qurtubi (11/76)
[6] At-Tirmithi (2302)
[7] Explanation of Sahih Muslim (16/86)
[8] Fathul Bari(5/260)
[9] Az-Zuhd by Hanad As-Sari 2/612
[10] Sunnan Abu Dawud (657)
[11] Fathul Bari (9/528)
[12] BMI:Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.
[13] Sha’bul Iman by Imam Al-Bayhaqi (7/346)
[14] Al-Araf:31