Az-Zariyat (The Winds that Scatter) [51:22]
And in the heavens, there is your sustenance and
all that you have been promised.
The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The best of
deeds in the sight of Allah is the happiness that you bring to a fellow
believer, either by driving away his hunger or by relieving him of his
distress (suffering).’
In the hadith of MiÝrÁj (The Prophet’s
Ascension to the heavens), the Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘O Allah! What is the
outcome of hunger?’ He said, Wisdom, protection of the heart, drawing closer to
Me, lasting sorrow, less burden on the people, telling the truth, and lack of
concern whether one lives in wealth or poverty.’
The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The light of
inner knowledge is brought about by hunger whereas distance from Allah is
caused by satiety (overfilling). Proximity (Nearness) to Allah is brought about by loving the poor and
drawing near to them, so do not eat to your fill lest the light of inner
knowledge be extinguished from your hearts.’
The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Those among
you who have the best status with Allah, most High, are those who prolong their
hunger and contemplation (meditation). Those of you who are most hated by Allah, most High,
are those who sleep, eat and drink excessively.’
Abu Hurayra narrated, ‘A man came to
the Prophet (SAWA) and complained to him of hunger, so the Prophet (SAWA) sent
a messenger to the homes of his wives, but they said that they had nothing but
water. The Prophet (SAWA) asked, ‘Who can host this man tonight?’ So Ali bin Abi
Talib (AS) said, ‘I will host him, O Messenger of Allah.’ He came to Fatima
(AS) and asked her, ‘What do you have, O daughter of the Prophet?’ She said, ‘We
only have food for tonight, but we will give it to our guest.’ He (AS) said, ‘O
Daughter of Muhammad. Take the children to bed and put off the lamp.’ The next
morning, Ali (AS) came to the Prophet (SAWA) and told him the story. No sooner
had he left than Allah, the Exalted, revealed the verse: “…but prefer [others]
to themselves…”.
The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Applaud (Congratulate)
a man who abstains from food, sleeps hungry, and has patience. These are the
ones who will be satiated (satisfied) on the Day of Judgment.’
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