The Physician and the Prophet

One of the kings of Persia sent a skilled physician to serve the Prophet Mustafa, peace be upon him. He stayed a year in the land of the Arabs, yet no one came to test his skill or asked him for a cure. He came to the Prophet and complained: I was sent to treat your companions, but in all this time no one has paid me any attention, so I could carry out the duty assigned to me. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: These people follow a rule. They do not eat until hunger takes hold, and they stop eating while some appetite still remains. The physician said: This is the very cause of their good health. He kissed the ground and departed. The wise person speaks, or reaches out a fingertip toward the food, only when staying silent would cause harm, or not eating would leave the body faint. So naturally, his words carry wisdom, and his eating brings forth health.