وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

A Muslim has a lesser desire to eat

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم"‏ يَأْكُلُ الْمُسْلِمُ فِي مِعًى وَاحِدٍ، وَالْكَافِرُ يَأْكُلُ فِي سَبْعَةِ أَمْعَاءٍ ‏"‏‏

In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5396), it is narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "A Muslim eats with one intestine, whereas a disbeliever eats with seven intestines."

As a Muslim, you were given the ability to eat less (the quantity of food which you really need), but you have never felt or found this quality, hidden somewhere inside your body.

This profound Hadith highlights a key characteristic of a Muslim (true believer), moderation in eating and contentment with less. The believer does not live to eat, but rather eats to sustain strength for worship, reflection, and righteous deeds. His heart is connected to the Akhirah (Hereafter), and he finds satisfaction in simple, halal sustenance.

This Hadith also reinforces the spiritual dimension of food in Islam — it’s not merely about nutrition but also about discipline, gratitude, and conscious living. A believer sees eating as an act of ibadah (worship) when done with the right intention and within the Sunnah guidelines.

Scholars’ Interpretations:
Linguistic metaphor: No scholar doubts the wording; the disagreement lies in interpretation.
Praise of moderation: Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr says the Hadith lauds believers’ modesty and contentment, they eat just enough to live, while the irreligious indulge excessively.
Al-Nawawi: “Seven intestines” symbolizes greed, gluttony, and overindulgence; “one intestine” means restraint.
Al-Qurtubi: The “seven appetites” include physical, visual, mental, and sensual desires; believers only consume out of necessity.
Ibn Rushd: It’s metaphorical—not literal—highlighting the difference between moderate believers and indulgent non-believers.

Key Lessons Extracted from the Hadith:
It encourages moderation and warns against excess (Allah says: “Eat and drink, but do not waste” [al-A‘raaf 31]).
It promotes economy in provision, referencing another hadith about filling one-third stomach.
It discourages greed and selfishness, one person’s food is enough for two, etc.
Overeating leads to illness and distraction from worship.