Is the following an authentic Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?
“We are a nation who do not eat until we are hungry and when we eat, we do not eat to our fill”
Answer
I have not come across this Hadith in any primary Hadith source.
‘Allamah Burhanud Din Al Halabi (rahimahullah) has cited this as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) without a chain of narrators nor did he mention the source. I am therefore unable to verify the authenticity.
(Insanul ‘Uyun Fi Siratil Aminil Ma-mun; As Sirah Al Halabiyyah, vol. 3 pg. 300)
The following Hadith could be quoted instead:
Sayyiduna Miqdam ibn Ma’di Karib (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, I heard Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say, “Man does not fill a container more evil than his belly. It is sufficient for man to eat that amount which straightens his back [i.e. a few morsels to gain some energy]. If this is not possible then a third for food, a third for drink and a third for air”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2380 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3349. See here)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar