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`Â’isha relates that the
Prophet (peace be upon him) used to like to start with the right side when
putting on his sandals, combing his hair, engaging in his ritual
purifications, and in all of his activities.
This is an authentic hadîth
related in Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim among other books.
The meaning of the hadîth:
Starting with the right
side has two meanings. When there are activities that involve both sides of
the body, it means to start with the right side of the body. This is the
case when it comes to such activities as washing the hands and putting on
shoes. When the activity relates to coming in contact with something, it
means to use the right hand instead of the left, as is the case with giving
and taking.
In this hadîth, it refers
mainly to activities involving the hands and feet.
The phrase “in all of his
activities” is a general statement that includes his entering and departure
from buildings and from rooms. However, other evidence specifies this
generality in this case. Therefore, the preference for the right foot is on
occasions where a place of respect is being entered, like a mosque or a
person’s home. In other places, like a lavatory, it is preferred to enter with
the left foot. This specification of the hadîth has been discussed by
al-Nawawî in al-Majmu` (1/384) and Ibn Daqiq al-`Îd in Ihkâm al-Ahkâm
(1/40).
`Â’ishah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used
to use his right hand for eating and for his purifications and use his left
hand for when he went to the bathroom or dealt with things that were
harmful. [Sunan Abî Dâwûd (33)] This hadîth is declared authentic by
al-Nawawî in al-Majmu` (1/108) as well as in al-Adhkâr and Riyâdh
al-Sâlhîn, and by al-`Irâqî in Tarh al-Tathrîb (2/71).
Hafsah relates that Allah’s
Messenger (peace be upon him) used to use his right hand for eating,
drinking, and getting dressed and his left hand for other things.” [Sunan
Abî Dâwûd (32)] Al-Nawawî declares its chain of transmission to be a good
one in al-Majmû` (1/384). Its chain of transmission contains the narrator
Abû Ayyûb `Abd Allah b. `Alî al- Azraq al-`Ifrîqî, about whom `Abû Zur`ah
says: “He is not strong. His hadîth contain what is rejected. He is a bit
weak.” However, Ibn al-Ma`în says: “There is nothing wrong with him.”
This specification of the
general preference for the right is also evidenced by the Prophet’s saying:
“If one of you puts his sandals on, let him start with his right foot. When
he takes them off, let him start with his left, so that his right foot is
the first to wear the sandal and the last to be taken out of it.” [Sahîh
al-Bukhârî (5855) and Sahîh Muslim (2097)]
These hadîth and others
explain to us the meaning of `Â’ishah’s statement: “...in all of his
activities”. It means activities like entering the mosque, putting on
shoes, and the like. Activities of an opposite nature, like blowing the
nose and removing filth, should be done with the left hand.
Its legal implications:
This hadîth has
significance for the performance of wudû’. It indicates that when washing
of the paired limbs, we should start by washing the right.
As for the singular limbs,
like the face, and the head, we wash them at once using both hands
together, as is indicated by the various hadîth that discuss the wiping of
the head. It is not Sunnah to start with the right half of the head and
then the left.
However, in a situation
where a person for some reason is unable to use both of his hands, then he
should start by washing the right side of his face and then the left and
likewise he should wipe the right side of his head before the left. The
ears, which are considered as consequential to the head, are also wiped
together simultaneously by one who is able to do so. Therefore, in the case
where a person cannot use two hands, he should wipe his right ear before
the left.
Scholars agree that
starting with the right side in wudû’ and in ghusl is a Sunnah act and that
it is not obligatory. Al-Nawawî declares it to be a matter of consensus in
al-Majmû` (1/383).
Likewise, Ibn `Abd al-Barr
says in al-Istidhkâr (2/21): “There is unanimous agreement that someone who
washes his left hand before his right does not have to repeat his
ablutions.” The same is said by Ibn al-Mundhir in al-Awsat and Ibn Qudâmah
in al-Mughnî.
Fakhr al-Dîn al-Râzi
relates in his Tafsîr a narration from Ahmad b. Hanbal that he considered
starting with the right hand to be obligatory in wudû’. However, the
Hanbalî jurist al-Zarkashî explains that this is an irregular narration and
that it is “rejected”. [Sharh Mukhtasar al-Khiraqî (1/178)]
Some benefits of this
hadîth:
1. This hadîth shows the preferentiality of starting with
the right hand for all good and clean activities. It is Sunnah to do so. `Â’ishah
says: that the Prophet (peace be upon him) “used to like” to do so. This
shows that it is something he preferred, but not something that he
obligated others to do.
2. The hadîth also shows us that we should be deliberate in
our activities, conscious of what we are doing, and seeking Allah’s reward
even in our most mundane daily chores and our most habitual actions, like
getting dressed and walking out of the house. We should inculcate an
intention of worship in our hearts and of following the Sunnah, and not
just allow our activities to be governed by unconscious habit.
3. The hadîth shows how Islamic Law comprehends every detail
of human life.
4. It shows the permissibility of being concerned with one’s
outward appearance, like one’s clothes, one’s grooming, and one’s shoes.
The fact that a person should put his right shoe on first and take it off
last shows that the activity of dressing is a respectful, dignified one.
By
Sheikh Salman al-Oadah
Location: Islamtoday
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