Muhammad The Great Exemplar — Page 7
7 taught moderation in matters of food, he never forbade the eating of delicacies. Indeed, whenever he was invited to a meal and served with rich and succulent fare, he would partake of it. He always instructed that the following ought to be kept in mind: first, food should not be wasted lest this offends the poor. Secondly, in times of famine or hardship, one should eat moderately so that their excessiveness does not deprive the underprivileged from access to even one meal [a day]. Thirdly, except in the most acute circumstances, food should not be hoarded lest others are deprived of their fair share. Good humour and cheerfulness are, as a matter of course requisites of human life, while laughter is a natural human quality. A fine spirit is essential for any decent person who does not wish to encumber others [with the stresses of ill-temperament]. Yet there is a common misconception that godliness entails earnestness and sobriety. A smile is thought to under- mine the station [of the holy] and laughter is considered to diminish their piety. But the erudite understand that if an individual is divested of these essential features [of human nature], the only thing left of them is a skeletal frame stripped of all pleasant features. Despite his solemnity, his disregard for fleeting joys and the very greatness of his message and claim