In Book 5, Section 3 of the Masnavi, Rumi explores the spiritual meaning behind the Prophetic hadith: 'The unbeliever eats in seven intestines, and the believer eats in one intestine.' Through the story of unbelievers who arrive as guests of the Prophet Muhammad, Rumi contrasts the insatiable, worldly appetite of the ego (nafs) with the spiritually disciplined nature of the believer. The physical appetite serves as a metaphor for spiritual state: the unbeliever's boundless greed reflects an inner void that worldly consumption cannot fill, while the believer's moderation demonstrates that true sustenance and contentment come from divine grace rather than material abundance.