so that he does not overeat, for the Prophet ﷺ said with regard to excessive eating, “The son of Adam never fills a vessel worse than his stomach. If he must, then let him allot one third for his food, one third for his drink, and one third for his breath.” That is the beneficial, natural way of eating. When you feel hungry, eat; the matter is not restricted to fixed hours. Someone might object, “If a person limits himself to one third, one third, and one third, he could grow hungry before the time for ʿIshāʾ.” We reply: if you become hungry, then eat—but keep the meal light, for that is easier to digest and gentler on the stomach. If you crave something, eat it; this is part of the Prophetic regimen. Nevertheless, there is no harm in being full on occasion, for the Prophet ﷺ approved of it when he handed Abū Hurayrah milk to drink, telling him, “Drink, drink, drink,” until he said, “By Allah, I can find no room for it,” meaning his stomach had no space left, and the Prophet ﷺ affirmed him. What should predominate in your eating, as the Prophet ﷺ instructed, is: a third for food, a third for drink, and a third for breath.