Summary:
Some Ahadith are compiled on the frequency of eating meat, from meat intake in the least to moderate intervals, i.e., once every three days to, at least, once in forty (40) days. Ahadith also recommend the meat of lamb is from the best sources of meat. Additional Ahadith on the topic of eating meat and stunning and slaughtering are presented in separate articles, i.e.,
Stunning And Slaughtering | Hubeali
Food Consumption Manners | Hubeali
Imam Ali-asws Ibn Abi Talib-asws, used to dislike being addicted to the meat (eating too much meat), and was saying: ‘The ferocity (harmful effects) of it is like the ferocity of the wine…’ (Hadith to follow).[1]
Frequently Serving meat to guests:
عَنْهُ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ( عليه السلام ) أَشْبَهَ النَّاسِ طِعْمَةً بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) كَانَ يَأْكُلُ الْخُبْزَ وَ الْخَلَّ وَ الزَّيْتَ وَ يُطْعِمُ النَّاسَ الْخُبْزَ وَ اللَّحْمَ
From him, from Ismail Bin Mihran, from Hammad Bin Usman, from Zayd Bin Al Hassan who said,
I heard Abu Abdullah-asws saying: ‘Amir Al-Momineen-asws was the most resembling of the people with Rasool-Allah-saww in his-asws meals. He-asws used to eat the bread, and the vinegar, and the oil, but he-asws would feed the people, the bread and the meat.’[2]
عنه، عن على بن الحكم، عن ابن بكير، عن زرارة، قال: تغديت مع أبى جعفر (ع) خمسة عشر يوما بلحم
From him, from Ali Bin Al Hakam, from Ibn Bakeyr, from Zarara who said,
‘I lunched with Abu Ja’far-asws, fifteen days when meat (was served).’[3]
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ وَ زُرَارَةَ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ أَنَّهُمْ سَأَلُوا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) عَنْ شِرَاءِ اللَّحْمِ مِنَ الْأَسْوَاقِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى مَا يَصْنَعُ الْقَصَّابُونَ قَالَ ( عليه السلام ) كُلْ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي أَسْوَاقِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَا تَسْأَلْ عَنْهُ
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Umar Bin Azina, from Al Fuzayl, and Zurara and Muhammad Bin Muslim,
‘They asked Abu Ja’far-asws about buying of the meat from the markets, and it is not known what the butchers have done.’ He-asws said: ‘Eat, when that was in the markets of the Muslims, and do not ask about it.’[4]
Least Meat intake and benefits of its intake:
وَ أَرْوِي أَطْرِفُوا أَهَالِيَكُمْ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْفَاكِهَةِ وَ اللَّحْمِ حَتَّى يَفْرَحُوا بِالْجُمُعَةِ
And I am reporting: ‘Give to your families, during every Friday with something, from the fruits and the meat until they are joyful with the Friday.’[5]
عنه عن محمد بن على، عن أبى المقدام، عن الحكم بن أيمن، عن أبى أسامة، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: من أتى عليه أربعون يوما ولم يأكل اللحم فليستقرض على الله وليأكله
From him, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Abu Al Maqdam, from Al Hakam, from Abu Asama,
Abu Abdullah-asws has said that Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘The one to whom forty days have come (passed) and he has not eaten the meat, so he should lend to Allah-azwj (borrow money) and he should eat it.’[6]
عنه، عن أبيه، عن ابن أبى عمير، عن هشام بن سالم، قال: اللحم ينبت اللحم، ومن تركه أربعين يوما ساء خلقه، ومن ساء خلقه فأذنوا في أذنه
From him, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Hisham Bin Saalim,
He-asws having said: ‘The meat builds the meat, and the one who neglects it for forty days would become worn out, and the one who becomes worn out, so proclaim it in his ear.’[7]
عنه، عن أبيه، عن هارون بن الجهم، عن جعفر بن عمرو، عن أبى عبد الله عن آبائه (ع) قال: قال رسول الله: شكا نبى قبلى إلى الله ضعفا في بدنه، فأوحى الله تعالى إليه أن اطبخ اللحم واللبن فانى قد جعلت البركة والقوة فيهما
From him, from his father, from Haroun Bin Al Jaham, from Ja’far Bin Amro, from
Abu Abdullah-asws, from his-asws forefathers-asws who said, ‘Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘A Prophet-as before me-saww mentioned to Allah-azwj of weakness in his-as body, so Allah-azwj Revealed unto him-as that he-as should cook the meat with the milk, for I-azwj have Made the Blessing and the strength to be in both of these.’’[8]
عنه، عن محمد بن عيسى اليقطينى، عن عبد الله بن عبد الله الدهقان، عن – درست، عن عبد الله بن سنان، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: شكا نبى من الانبياء إلى الله الضعف، فقال له: ” اطبخ اللحم باللبن .’ وقال: إنهما يشدان الجسم، قلت: هي المضيرة؟ – قال لا، ولكن اللحم باللبن الحليب
From him, from Muhammad Bin Isa Al Yaqteeny, from Abdullah Bin Abdullah Al Dahqany, from Darsat, from Abdullah Bin Sinan, from;
Abu Abdullah-asws has said: ‘A Prophet-as from the Prophets-as complained to Allah-azwj of the weakness, so He-azwj Said to him-as: “Cook the meat with the yoghurt.” And he-asws said: ‘These two are a tightening for the body.’ I said, ‘These are harmful?’ He-asws said: ‘No, but the meat with the yoghurt of the milk.’[9]
Meat of lamb is preferred:
عنه، عن سعد بن سعد الاشعري، قال: قلت لابي الحسن الرضا (ع): إن أهل بيتى لا يأكلون لحم الضأن، قال: ولم؟ – قلت: يقولون: إنه يهيج لهم المرة، والصفراء، والصداع، والاوجاع، فقال: يا سعد لو علم الله شيئا أكرم من الضأن لفدى به إسماعيل (ع)
From him, from Sa’ad Bin Sa’ad Al Ash’ary who said,
I said to Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza-asws, ‘My family are not eating the meat of the lamb.’ He-asws said: ‘And why?’ I said, ‘They are saying, it arouses the irritations to them, and the bile, and the headache and the pains.’ So the Imam-asws said: ‘O Sa’ad! If Allah-azwj Knew of a thing more prestigious than the lamb, Allah-azwj would have Sacrificed by that (instead of) Ismail-as.’[10]
عنه، عن بعض أصحابنا، عمن ذكره، عن عبد الله بن سنان، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: من أصابه ضعف في قلبه أو بدنه فليأكل لحم الضأن باللبن
From him, from one of our companions, form the one who mentioned it, from Abdullah Bin Sinan,
Abu Abdullah-asws has said: ‘One who is struck by weakness of his heart or his body, so he should eat meat of the lamb with the milk.’[11]
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَحْمٍ مَقْلُوٍّ فِيهِ بَاذَنْجَانٌ فَقَالَ كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامٌ كَانَ يُعْجِبُ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع
Then he-asws was brought fried meat wherein were aubergines. He-asws said: ‘In the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is food which used to fascinate Al-Hassan‑asws Bin Ali-asws.’
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَبَنٍ حَامِضٍ قَدْ ثُرِدَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامٌ كَانَ يُعْجِبُ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع
Then he-asws was brought some sour milk, porridge having made in it. He-asws said: ‘Eat in the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, for this is food which used to fascinate Al-Husayn-asws Bin Ali-asws.’
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِجُبُنٍّ مُبَزَّرٍ فَقَالَ كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامٌ كَانَ يُعْجِبُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع
Then he-asws was brought cheese sandwiches. He-asws said: ‘Eat in the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, for this is food which used to fascinate Muhammad-asws Bin Ali-asws.’
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِتَوْرٍ فِيهِ بَيْضٌ كَالْعُجَّةِ فَقَالَ كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامٌ كَانَ يُعْجِبُ أَبِي جَعْفَراً ع
Then he-asws was brought a container in which were like the ‘Ujjah’ (egg dish in flour). He‑asws said: ‘Eat in the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, for this food used to fascinate Abu Ja’far-asws.’
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِحَلْوَاءَ فَقَالَ كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامٌ كَانَ يُعْجِبُنِي
Then he-asws was brought the sweets. He-asws said: ‘Eat in the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is food which has been fascinating me-asws.’
وَ رُفِعَتِ الْمَائِدَةُ فَذَهَبَ أَحَدُنَا لِيَلْقُطَ مَا كَانَ تَحْتَهَا فَقَالَ ع إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ فِي الْمَنَازِلِ تَحْتَ السُّقُوفِ فَأَمَّا فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ فَهُوَ لِعَافِيَةِ الطَّيْرِ وَ الْبَهَائِمِ
And the meal was raised. One of us went to pick up what was beneath it. He-asws said: ‘But rather, that should be (done) in the houses under the rooves. As for in the likes of this place, it is for the well-being of the birds and the beasts.’
ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِالْخِلَالِ فَقَالَ مِنْ حَقِّ الْخِلَالِ أَنْ تُدِيرَ لِسَانَكَ فِي فَمِكَ فَمَا أَجَابَكَ ابْتَلَعْتَهُ وَ مَا امْتَنَعَ ثَمَّ بِالْخِلَالِ تُخْرِجُهُ فَتَلْفِظُهُ
Then he-asws was brought the toothpicks. He-asws said: ‘It is from a right of the toothpick that it be rotated around the tongue in your mouth. So, whatever (pieces) respond to you, swallow it, and whatever prevents, then (use) toothpick again and extract it and spit it out.’
وَ أُتِيَ بِالطَّسْتِ وَ الْمَاءِ فَابْتَدَأَ بِأَوَّلِ مَنْ عَلَى يَسَارِهِ حَتَّى انْتُهِيَ إِلَيْهِ فَغَسَلَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ مَنْ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ حَتَّى أُتِيَ عَلَى آخِرِهِمْ
And he-asws was brought the tray and the water. He-asws began with the first one upon his-asws left until it ended to him-asws. He-asws washed, then the one on his-asws right washed until it came to their last one.
ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَاصِمُ كَيْفَ أَنْتُمْ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّبَارِّ فَقَالَ عَلَى أَفْضَلِ مَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ
Then he-asws said: ‘O Asim! How are you all regarding the connecting (helping financially) and the poverty?’ He said: ‘Upon better than what anyone is upon.’
فَقَالَ أَ يَأْتِي أَحَدُكُمْ عِنْدَ الضِّيقَةِ مَنْزِلَ أَخِيهِ فَلَا يَجِدُهُ فَيَأْمُرُ بِإِخْرَاجِ كِيسِهِ فَيُخْرَجُ فَيَفُضُّ خَتْمَهُ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَاجَتَهُ فَلَا يُنْكِرُ عَلَيْهِ
He-asws said: ‘Does one of you come to his brother during the financial difficulty, and he does not find him, so he instructs with bringing out his moneybag. He brings out and opens its seal and takes from that his need, and it is not denied upon him?’
قَالَ لَا قَالَ لَسْتُمْ عَلَى مَا أُحِبُّ مِنَ التَّوَاصُلِ
He said, ‘No!’ He-asws said: ‘You aren’t upon what I-asws like regarding the connecting (helping between Momineen).’[12]
Eating meat in Moderation:
عنه، عن أبيه، عمن حدثه، عن عبد الرحمن العزرمى، عن أبى عبد الله، (ع) قال: كان على (ع) يكره إدمان اللحم، ويقول: إن له ضراوة كضراوة الخمر
From him, from his father, from the one who narrated it, from Abdul Rahman Al Azramy,
Abu Abdullah-asws has narrated that Imam Ali-asws used to dislike being addicted to the meat (eating too much meat), and was saying: ‘The ferocity (harmful effects) of it is like the ferocity of the wine.’[13]
عنه، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن أبى عمير، عن الحكم بن مسكين، عن عمار الساباطى قال: سألت أبا عبد الله (ع) من شراء اللحم فقال: في ثلاث، قلت: لنا أضياف وقوم ينزلون بنا وليس يقع منهم موقع اللحم شئ؟ فقال: في كل ثلاث، قلت: لا نجد شيئا أحضر منه، لو ائتدموا بغيره لم يعدوه شيئا فقال: في كل ثلاث
From him, from his father, from Muhammad Bin Abu Umeyr, from Al Hakam Bin Maskeyn, from Amaar Al Sabity who said,
I asked Abu Abdullah-asws regarding buying of the meat, so the Imam-asws said: ‘In every three (days).’ I said, ‘For us are guests and a people who are staying with us, and there is no place from them for the meat (to be bought)?’ So he-asws said: ‘In every three (days).’ I said, ‘We cannot find anything to offer them from it, if only they could consider something else, they would not add to it, anything.’ So he-asws said: ‘In every three (days).’[14]
عنه، عن أبيه، عن القاسم بن محمد، عن زكريا بن عمران أبى يحيى، عن إدريس بن عبد الله، قال: كنت عند أبى عبد الله (ع) فذكر اللحم، فقال: كل يوما بلحم، ويوما بلبن، ويوما بشئ آخر
From him, from his father, from Al Qasim Bin Muhammad, from Zakariyya Bin Imran Abu Yahya, from Idrees Bin Abdullah who said,
I was in the presence of Abu Abdullah-asws, so the meat was mentioned, so he-asws said: ‘In one day the meat, and a day with the milk, and a day with another thing.’[15]
Meat on bones:
عنه، عن ابن محبوب، عن العلاء، عن محمد بن مسلم، عن أبى جعفر (ع) قال: سألته عن العظم، أنهكه؟ – قال: نعم
From him, from Ibn Mahboub, from Al A’ala, from Muhammad Bin Muslim,
Abu Ja’far-asws, said, ‘I asked about the (meat on) bones, can I take from it to uncover (the bone)?’ He-asws said: ‘Yes.’[16]
Meat of other Permissible species:
عنه، عن السيارى، رفعه، قال: ذكرت اللحمان عند أمير المؤمنين على ابن أبى طالب وعمر حاضر، فقال عمر: إن أطيب اللحمان لحم الدجاج فقال أمير المؤمنين (ع): كلا: إن ذلك خنازير الطير، وإن أطيب اللحم لحم فرخ حمام قد نهض أو كاد ينهض
From him, from Al Sayari, raising it, said:
The meats were mentioned in the presence of Amir Al-Momineen Ali-asws Bin Abu Talib‑asws, and Umar was presence, so Umar said, ‘The best of the meats is the meat of the chicken.’ So, Amir Al-Momineen-asws said: ‘Never! Those are the pigs of the birds, and the best of the meats is the meat of partridge, raised or nearly raised.’[17]
عنه، عن السيارى، عمن رواه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: من سره أن يقتل غيظه فليأكل لحم الدراج
From him, from Al Sayari, from the one who reported it, said,
Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘The one who wants to kill his anger so let him eat the meat of the pheasant.’[18]
عنه، عن بعض أصحابنا، عن ابن أخت الاوزاعي، عن مسعدة بن اليسع، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: قال أمير المؤمنين (ع): السمك الطرى يذيب اللحم
From him, from one of our companions, from nephew of Al Awzai’e, from Mas’ada Bin Al Yas’a,
Abu Abdullah-asws has said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen-asws said: ‘The fresh fish melts the meat (reduces obesity).’[19]
الْمَحَاسِنُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنِ الْعَلَاءِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ لَحْمِ الْخَيْلِ وَ الْبِغَالِ وَ الْحُمُرِ فَقَالَ حَلَالٌ وَ لَكِنْ تَعَافُونَهَا
(The book) ‘Al Mahasin’ – from his father, from Safwan, from Al A’ala, from Muhammad Bin Muslim,
From Abu Ja’far-asws, and he-asws had been asked about meat of the horse, and the mule, and the donkey. He-asws said: ‘Permissible but avoid these.’[20]
In Holy Quran, Allah-azwj Says:
كُلُّ الطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلًّا لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَائِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُنَزَّلَ التَّوْرَاةُ ۗ قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِالتَّوْرَاةِ فَاتْلُوهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ {93}
All food was Permissible for the Children of Israel except that which Israel had forbidden upon itself from before the Revelation of the Torah. Say: ‘So come with the Torah and recite it, if you are truthful!’ [3:93]
محمد بن يعقوب: عن محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد أو غيره، عن ابن محبوب، عن عبد العزيز العبدي، عن عبد الله بن أبي يعفور، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال: «إن إسرائيل كان إذا أكل من لحم الإبل هيج عليه وجع الخاصرة، فحرم على نفسه لحم الإبل، و ذلك قبل أن تنزل التوراة، فلما نزلت التوراة لم يحرمه و لم يأكله»
Muhammad Bin Yaqoub, from Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad or someone else, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abdul Aziz Al Abdy, from Abdullah Bin Abu Ya’four,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullahasws: ‘When the Israelites used to eat from the flesh of the camel, it caused them pain in their lower back. So they forbade upon themselves the flesh of the camel. And that was before the Revelation of the Torah. So when the Torah was Revealed, they neither forbade it nor did they eat it.’[21]
عَنْهُ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ الْقَدِيدُ لَحْمُ سَوْءٍ لِأَنَّهُ يَسْتَرْخِي فِي الْمَعِدَةِ وَ يُهَيِّجُ كُلَّ دَاءٍ وَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَلْ يَضُرُّهُ
It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith who has said:
Abu Al-Hassanasws would say, ‘Al-Qadid (dried up meat) is a bad kind of meat because it softens in the stomach and induces every kind of illness and it does not benefit anything, instead it harms.’[22]
لحوم البقر داء و ألبانها شفاء و كذلك أسمانها
(Amir Al-Momineen-asws said) ‘Eating Beef is harmful but cure is in the milk and fats of cows.’[23]
Cure for the scarcity of birth:
عنه، عن محمد بن على اليقطينى، عن عبيدالله بن عبد الله الدهقان، عن عبد الله بن سنان، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: إن نبيا من الانبياء شكا إلى الله قلة النسل، فقال له: كل اللحم بالبيض
From him, from Muhammad Bin Ali Al Yaqteeny, from Ubeydullah Bin Abdullah Al Dahqaan, from Abdullah Bin Sinan,
Abu Abdullah-asws has said: ‘A Prophet-as from the Prophets-as complained to Allah-azwj of the scarcity of the births, so He-azwj Said to him-as: “Eat the meat with the eggs.”’[24]
عنه، عن أبيه، عن سعدان بن مسلم، عن إسماعيل بن جابر، قال: كنت عند أبى عبد الله (ع) فدعا بالمائدة، فأتينا بقصعة فيها ثريد ولحم، فدعا بزيت فصبه على اللحم فأكله
From him, from his father, from Sa’dan Bin Muslim, from Ismail Bin Jabir who said,
‘I was in the presence of Abu Abdullah-asws, so he-asws called for the meal. So they brought us a bowl in which was porridge and meat. So, he-asws called for oil, and sprinkled it over the meat and ate it.’[25]
Curing Vitiligo with meat broth:
عنه، عن أبى يوسف، عن يحيى بن المبارك، عن أبى الصباح الكنانى، عن أبى – عبد الله (ع) قال: مرق السلق بلحم البقر يذهب بالبياض
From him, from Abu Yusuf, from Yahya Bin Al Mubarak, from Abu Al Sabah Al Kanany,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The broth of the chard with the meat of the cow (beef) removes the whiteness (Vitiligo).’[26]
Meat stuck in teeth:
عنه، عن عثمان بن عيسى، عن إسحاق بن جرير، عن أبى عبد الله (ع) قال: سألته عن اللحم يكون في الاسنان، فقال: أما ما كان في مقدم الفم فكله، وأما ما كان في الاضراس فاطرحه
From him, from Usman Bin Isa, from Is’haq Bin Jareyr,
I asked Abu Abdullah-asws about the meat which happens to be (stuck) in the teeth, so the Imam-asws said: ‘As for what was in the forefront of the mouth, so eat it, and as for what was in the molars, so throw it.’[27]
Offering thanks after food and feeding other species:
يَا كُمَيْلُ إِذَا اسْتَوْفَيْتَ طَعَامَكَ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَكَ وَ ارْفَعْ بِذَلِكَ صَوْتَكَ يَحْمَدْهُ سِوَاكَ فَيَعْظُمُ بِذَلِكَ أَجْرُكَ
‘O Kumeyl! When you have fulfilled your meal, then praise Allah-azwj upon what He-azwj has Graced you, and raise your voice with that, the ones besides you will praise Him-azwj, and that will Magnify with that.
يَا كُمَيْلُ لَا تُوقِرَنَّ مَعِدَتَكَ طَعَاماً وَ دَعْ فِيهَا لِلْمَاءِ مَوْضِعاً وَ لِلرِّيحِ مَجَالًا وَ لَا تَرْفَعْ يَدَكَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتَ تَشْتَهِيهِ فَإِنْ فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْتَ تَسْتَمْرِئُهُ فَإِنَّ صِحَّةَ الْجِسْمِ مِنْ قِلَّةِ الطَّعَامِ وَ قِلَّةِ الْمَاءِ
‘O Kumeyl! Do not make your stomach heavy with food and leave place in it for the water, and room for the air, and do not raise your hand from the meal except and you are (still) desiring it. If you were to do that, you will find it pleasurable, for health of the body is from little food and little water,’ (an extract).[28]
مِنْ بَعْضِ كُتُبِ الْمَنَاقِبِ الْمُعْتَبَرَةِ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ نَجِيحٍ قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع يَأْكُلُ وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَلْبٌ كُلَّمَا أَكَلَ لُقْمَةً طَرَحَ لِلْكَلْبِ مِثْلَهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَ لَا أَرْجُمُ هَذَا الْكَلْبَ عَنْ طَعَامِكَ قَالَ دَعْهُ إِنِّي لَأَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذُو رُوحٍ يَنْظُرُ فِي وَجْهِي وَ أَنَا آكُلُ ثُمَّ لَا أُطْعِمُهُ
And in one of the reliable books of the Merits, by his chain from Najeeh who said,
‘I saw Al-Hassanasws Bin Aliasws eating, and in front of himasws was a dog. Every time heasws ate a morsel, heasws was throwing similar to it to the dog. I said to himasws, ‘O sonasws of Rasool-Allahsaww! Why don’t you pelt this dog away from yourasws meal?’ Heasws said: ‘Leave it! Iasws am embarrassed from Allahazwj Mighty and Majestic that one with a soul is looking into myasws face while Iasws am eating, then Iasws am not feeding it.’’[29]
[1] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 454
[2] Al Kafi – V 6 – The Book of Foodstuffs Ch 77 H 3
[3] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 418
[4] Al Kafi – V 6 – The Book of Slaughtered (animals) Ch 13 H 2
[5] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 1 H 3
[6] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 427
[7] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 433
[8] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 439
[9] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 441
[10] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 445
[11] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 446
[12] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 15 H 28 / 4
[13] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 454
[14] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 455
[15] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 456
[16] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 467
[17] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 477
[18] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 478
[19] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 487
[20] Bihar Al-Anwaar – V 62 The book of animals – Ch 3 H 16
[21] الكافي 5: 306/ 9.
[22] الكافي ج : 6 ص : 314, H. 4.
[23] الخصال ج : 2 ص : 611 , Al-Kasail by Sheikh Sadduq,
[24] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 508
[25] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 535
[26] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 724
[27] Al Mahaasin – V 2 Bk 3 H 935
[28] Bihar Al-Anwaar, vol. 74)
[29] Bihar Al Awaar – V 43, The book of History – Al Hassanasws, Ch 16 H 29