Using the Hand in Washing the Feet – A Detailed Explanation of the Sunnah and the Permissibility
Question:
Is washing the feet with the left hand a sunnah? And is it permissible to wash the feet with the right hand?
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Washing the feet with the left hand is a sunnah
The sunnah is that during wudu or ghusl the feet should be washed by rubbing them with the left hand.
The reason for this is stated in an authentic hadith:
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: “The right hand of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was for purification and for eating, and his left hand was for relieving himself and for things that are harmful.”
In the light of this hadith, it is understood that dirt and impurity count as “adha” (harm), and using the left hand to deal with such things is a sunnah.
The clarification of Imam al-Bukhari
Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Chapter: the one who pours (water) from the right hand onto the left hand for washing.”
The hadith of Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her)
Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
“I placed water for the bath for the Prophet ﷺ, then I screened him with a cloth. He poured water over his hands and washed them, then he poured water from his right hand onto his left hand and washed his private part. Then he struck that hand on the ground and rubbed it, then washed it, rinsed his mouth, sniffed water into his nose, washed his face and hands, poured water over his head, then poured water over his whole body, then he moved away from there and washed his feet.
I handed him a cloth but he did not take it, then he went back, shaking the water off with his hands.”
Although this hadith specifically mentions cleaning the “farj” (private part), the narration of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is general, and on the basis of it, washing the feet by rubbing them with the left hand is recommended.
Taking care to clean the heels and the toes
When washing the feet, special care should be taken that:
◈ The water reaches properly between the heels and the toes.
◈ In places where water generally flows off without stopping, it is also necessary to rub well with the hand.
See:
Conclusion
Washing the feet with the left hand is a sunnah and recommended.
However, washing the feet with the right hand is also permissible, but acting upon the sunnah method is better.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
