عَنِ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِي كَرِبَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ  يَقُولُ: «مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ. بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أُكُلَاتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَهُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ، فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِهِ»

Al-Miqdām ibn Ma‘dīkarib narrated that he heard God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) say:

1. No human being may fill up a vessel worse than his tummy. 2. It is enough for anyone to have a few bites to satisfy hunger. 3. If he must, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for breathing.

Related by Ahmad, 17186; al-Nasāʼī, 6737; al-Tirmidhī, 2380; Ibn Mājah, 3349.

Summary of Meaning

Overeating is unhealthy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) highlights this and states that it is sufficient to eat what is enough to satisfy hunger and enable a person to remain active. 

Hadiths projects