Overeating has become as common as overthinking. This verse conveys the wisdom of balance, encouraging us to eat and drink without excess. Eating can also convey aspects beyond food, how we greedily fill ourselves up with ‘things’ beyond our capacity, yet today we’ll focus on the concept of overconsuming food.

Don’t you realize that often, our stomach may be satisfied, yet the mind craves more, driven by unnecessary desires. An American saying advises to ‘eat until you’re full’, while the Japanese recommend ‘eat until you’re no longer hungry’; which suggests leaving some space in your stomach, allowing you to breathe and experience life more fully.

There is also a physical wisdom behind this guidance. After a heavy meal, especially one rich in fats or sugars, the body directs much of its blood flow toward digestion. As a result, less oxygen and energy reach the brain,  leaving us feeling mentally heavy, and unfocused. Regarding the heart as Imam el Ghazali mentions, over eating is one of the desires that can veil us from reaching the truth. Allow your body to stay clear, to gain more clarity from the Divine

Eating with ‘niyyah’ (intention) is also very important. This allows consumption to become an act of awareness rather than distraction. When we eat lightly and consciously, the body remains clear, the heart receptive, and the mind awake to the presence of the Divine.