The body is a trust (amanah) from God and the mount that carries the soul toward Him. The tradition treats its care as part of the religion, not apart from it: 'your body has a right over you,' the Prophet (s) told a companion who exhausted himself in worship.
Moderation is the principle. Imam Ali (a) counselled eating to live rather than living to eat; a measure of hunger keeps the heart awake, while excess makes it heavy and the limbs sluggish in worship. Balance in food, sleep, and exertion is itself a spiritual discipline.
Strength and cleanliness are praised: 'a strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer,' and 'cleanliness is part of faith.' To care for the body — through movement, rest, purity, and avoiding what harms it — honours the One who entrusted it to us.
The aim is not vanity but capacity: a sound body serves a sound worship. To neglect or abuse the trust — through excess, intoxicants, or heedless harm — is a betrayal of it; to keep it well is a quiet, continual act of gratitude.
Key concepts
- body as trust
- health
- balance