Meaning of the ḥadīth: “Every piece of flesh that has grown from suḥt”

Question: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Every piece of flesh that grows from suḥt—the Fire has a greater right to it.” What is the explanation of this ḥadīth, esteemed Shaykh?

Answer: First, the ḥadīth is weak. It is related from Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) in two versions: (1) “Every piece of flesh that grows from suḥt—the Fire has a greater right to it,” and (2) “Every body that grows from suḥt—the Fire has a greater right to it.” The word suḥt means what is ḥarām (forbidden).

The meaning of the ḥadīth is that any body or flesh that has been nourished by what is forbidden will, on the Day of Resurrection, be consigned to the Fire as a punishment. Allah, exalted is He, has forbidden impure things and unlawful earnings, and He has commanded us to partake only of the pure and wholesome provisions He has made lawful. What is forbidden nourishes a person with an impure nourishment, whereas what is pure nourishes with a wholesome nourishment and has praiseworthy effects on a person’s body, conduct, and character. In contrast, impure food nurtures a person with an impure nourishment, and that in turn is reflected in his behavior and deeds, which become tainted because of the vile nature of what he has consumed.

This shows the profound impact that one’s food has on him: he is affected for the better when his food is permissible and wholesome, and affected for the worse when it is forbidden and impure. Allah, exalted is He, says, “O Messengers, eat of the wholesome things and act righteously” (Sūrah al-Muʾminūn 51).