According to the Holy Prophet (s.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), two things; leprosy and white spots are caused by five habits: a) To use noorah on Friday and Wednesday b) To perform Wuzu and bathe with the water heated by sunlight c) To eat during the state of Janabat d) To cohabit with a woman when she is in period (monthly course) e) To eat even when the stomach is full. According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), man needs to eat that much food which is needed for his strength.

One part of the stomach should be for food, the second for water and third for breathing. One should not try to fatten oneself like the lamb meant for Zabeeha (slaughter). He also said that a full stomach causes revolt (disobedience) and quarrels. Except fever, all sudden diseases and pains are caused by over-eating.

Another tradition from Hazrat Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that if the followers of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) follow the ways and manners of alien people especially those of dress and food, they will not be blessed and on the contrary, they will be degraded. Ways and timings of eating: It is Sunnat (recommended - optional) to eat early in the morning and be without food for the whole day and then have food for a second time after Isha prayers.

The morsel should be small, the food should be chewed properly, while eating one should not stare at anyone and should not take very hot food. One should not cool the food by blowing with the mouth instead, let the food remain for some time till it cools. One should not cut the bread with knife and should not completely empty the bones.

At least three fingers should be used to hold the morsel, and when quite a few people are eating in one plate, one should not put the hand in front of the other's section. The plate and fingers should be completely cleaned. It is Makrooh (detestable) to eat in the state of Janabat. The rigidity of order is relaxed if one performs Wuzu or washes hands, gargles and puts water in the nose or simply washes hand and face and gargles.

It is stated in a tradition that one may suffer from the disease of white spots if he neglects the above direction. According to a reliable tradition, the nephew of Shahab went to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) complaining of stomach ache and heaviness of bowels. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to eat only two times - day and night - for God has said the same in the praise of food in Heaven.