Know that the merit of hunger does not lie in that there be anguish, just as the merit of medicine does not lie in its bitterness. However, in hunger there are ten benefits:

The first benefitis that it purifies and illuminates the soul, while satiety blinds people’s souls and makes them dull of thought.

The second benefit is that the soul becomes refined so that it finds pleasure in the remembrance (of God) and conversation (with God).

The third benefit is that while arrogance and negligence are the gates of hell; humility, helplessness, and weakness are the thresholds of heaven.

The fourth benefit is that when one is sated, one forgets the hungry and feels no compassion for God’s people.

The fifth benefit is that which is at the head of all benefits and (spiritual) happinesses. It is that one keep one’s own self under one’s own control. Wretchedness is that one be under the control of the self. Just as a stubborn animal cannot be tamed and softened except by hunger, the human self is the same. This is not just one benefit; it is the alchemy of benefits. For, all sins arise from the carnal appetites and all carnal appetites arise from satiety.

The sixth benefit is sleeping less. This is the basis of all acts of worship, the conversation (with God), the remembrance (of God), and reflection, especially at night. Anyone who eats to satiety is overcome by sleep and falls like a corpse; his life is wasted.

The sixth benefit is sleeping less. This is the basis of all acts of worship, the conversation (with God), the remembrance (of God), and reflection, especially at night. Anyone who eats to satiety is overcome by sleep and falls like a corpse; his life is wasted.

The seventh benefitis that time becomes ample for one and one may attend to work and learning. Should one eat a lot, he will spend all of his time in eating, cooking, sleeping, buying, preparing, and waiting for the means. Then he will spend time in going to the privy and moving his bowels.9 Every breath is a jewel and it is the capital of human being. Wasting it unnecessarily is foolishness.

The eighth benefit is that whoever eats sparingly is always healthy and is delivered from the torment of illness, the provision of medicine, the mincing of doctors, the pain of cupping, and the taking of bitter medicine.

The ninth benefitis that, for whoever eats sparingly, there is little expense and he does not become in need of much wealth.

The tenth benefit is that when one has mastered one’s stomach, one masters the giving of voluntary charity, giving in abundance, and being generous.

al-Ghazzali, Abu Hamed Muhammad . On the Treatment of the Lust of the Stomach and the Sexual Organs (Great Books of the Islamic World) . Kazi Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition.