The Arrow and the Stomach
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The second poison is the unguarded glance.
A narration describes the glance as a poisoned arrow of Iblis. And whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, Allah gives him a sweetness of faith in his heart.
The book explains how it works. The look enters the heart faster than the wind. Shaytan makes the image more beautiful than it really is. It becomes a desire. And the desire becomes an action that would never have happened without that first look.
Allah tells the believers to lower their gaze, and says this is purer for them. And straight after that, He speaks of His light, light upon light.
As if to say, lower your eyes, and I will fill your heart with light.
The third poison is too much food. Eating a little, says the book, softens the heart, sharpens the mind, and humbles the self.
The Prophet said, a person fills no container worse than his stomach. A few mouthfuls are enough to keep him standing. And if he must eat more, then a third for food, a third for drink, and a third for breath.
One of the young worshippers of the Children of Israel used to say, "Do not eat too much, or you will drink too much, then sleep too much, and then lose too much."
At your next meal, leave a little space. Let it be space for Allah.
