Download PDF: [S] to Use the Left Hand

It is prohibited to eat or drink with the left hand or to give and accept anything with the left hand. There are many dire warnings which have been given in the Ahadith. We will present a few Ahadith.

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – stated, “Beware, you should never never eat with the left hand or drink with the left hand. The Satan eats and drink with the left hand.” In the report of Hadrat Sayyiduna Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – the extra words are, “one should also not give anything or accept anything with the left hand.” (At Targheeb from Sahih Muslim)

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Aby Hurayrah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “All of you should eat and drink with the right hand. You should accept with the right hand and give with the right hand. The reason is that the Satan eats and drink with the left hand and gives and takes with the left hand.” (ibn Majah)

We notice that sometimes people drink with the left hand while eating thinking that their right hand would mess the glass. There are also some people who hold a glass of hot tea with their right hand and pour this into a saucer and then drink with the left hand. One should never become guilty of this. Even though the glass might become soiled with gravy, etc, you should still drink with your right hand. By continuing to do this, you are protecting yourself against the Satan and following the true Sunnah.

 

Advertisement