Ibn Hibban

Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A believer eats in one intestine, and a disbeliever eats in seven intestines."

SH Explanation and Meaning EH
The apparent meaning of this hadith is not that a believer actually has one intestine and a disbeliever has seven, because physically, the structure of humans is the same. Here, a style of analogy and metaphor has been adopted.

SH Real Meaning EH
SG Contentment and Moderation EG
A believer adopts moderation and contentment in eating. He eats only as much as is needed, and does not make eating the purpose of life.

SG Greed and Covetousness EG
Since a disbeliever is mostly worldly, his attention is more on eating, drinking, and enjoying pleasures. He falls prey to excess, extravagance, and greed. That is why it is said that he eats equal to seven intestines, meaning he is immersed in physical desires.

SG Spiritual and Moral Perspective EG
The spiritual nourishment of a believer keeps his heart satisfied. He sees the pleasure of Allah in everything, so his hunger and worldly desires remain limited. In contrast, the heart of a disbeliever is empty, so he never feels satiated by the comforts of the world.

SH Qur'anic Endorsement EH
● The Qur'an also points to this concept:
« وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا »
Eat, drink, and do not be extravagant.
(Al-A'raf: 31)

SG Summary EG
This hadith practically teaches the Sunnah of the Prophet:
● Eating is a human need, not the purpose of life
● A believer maintains limits and moderation in eating
● A disbeliever, being a captive of worldly pleasures, eats more than needed and is extravagant
◄ Therefore, the message of this hadith is: eat less, do more good deeds; care for the soul, not the self.