Muslim

Hadith Gloss:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:

(1)
al-tayammun:
To begin from the right side; this action may pertain to the hand, the foot, or the side.

(2)
tarajjul:
Combing (the hair).

(3)
inti‘āl:
Derived from na‘l (shoe, sandal); to wear shoes.

Hadith Commentary: You used to begin from the right side.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
"Tarjeel" refers to applying oil to the hair, combing, and arranging it, whether the hair is on the head or the beard. However, for a person to be constantly engrossed in beautifying himself is contrary to the spirit of the Shariah. Arranging the hair is certainly permitted, but with moderation, and this attention should be given every other day. Thus, it is mentioned in the hadith that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade combing except every other day.
(Sunan Abi Dawood, al-Tarajul, Hadith: 4159)
In any case, avoiding affectation is part of faith, as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Simplicity is from faith."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, al-Zuhd, Hadith: 4118)
(2)
A person with simple habits expresses gratitude to Allah Ta'ala for ordinary blessings, whereas one who is given to affectation sometimes considers even a great blessing to be beneath his standard and, instead of being grateful, begins to complain.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:

In one narration, it is further mentioned that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam preferred the right side in every matter, except for certain actions which are excluded, such as removing footwear, exiting the mosque, or going to the toilet, etc., in which the left foot should be used first.

In Islam, a significant distinction has been made between the right and the left.

The Noble Qur’an has referred to the people of Paradise as “Ashab al-Yamin” (the people of the right) and the people of Hell as “Ashab al-Shimal” (the people of the left).

It is my prayer that Allah Ta’ala grants not only me but all the readers of Sahih al-Bukhari entry among the Ashab al-Yamin on the Day of Judgment. Ameen.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration, there is an additional detail that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to prefer the right side in all his affairs.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Hadith: 168)
However, some actions are exempt from this, such as:
removing footwear, exiting the mosque, and going to the lavatory, etc.

(2)
In any case, it is recommended (mustahabb) to begin acts of honor and adornment from the right side.
In Islam, a distinction has been made between the right and the left.
In the Noble Qur’an, the people of Paradise are called "ashab al-yamin" (the people of the right), those on the right side, and the people of Hellfire are called "ashab al-shimal" (the people of the left), those on the left side.
May Allah, the Exalted, include us among the people of the right.
Amin.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The meaning of starting from the right side as much as possible is that if there is any hindrance in choosing the right side, then, out of necessity, there is no harm in choosing the left side. Furthermore, in one narration it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) liked to begin every dignified matter from the right side.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/678)
The rule regarding choosing the right side is that matters related to honor and respect, or adornment and beautification, should be started from the right side, and those matters which are contrary to these should be started from the left side.
The complete explanation of this hadith has already been given earlier.
Therefore, we suffice with this here.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Wudu (Ablution), Hadith: 168)
2.
According to the Hanafis, starting from the right side was a matter of habit, not of worship. If it had been a matter of worship, then due to the continuous practice of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), these actions would have become Sunnah, because in their view there is a difference between acts of worship (ta‘abbud) and acts of habit (‘adah). Therefore, these actions are considered recommended (mustahabb) according to them.
In our view, this distinction between the actions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is contrary to the excellent example (uswah hasanah).
All of your actions are Sunnah for us,
even if they were performed only once in your lifetime.
For the establishment of Sunnah, the condition of worship (ta‘abbud) and continuity (muwazabat) is not correct.

Hadith Footnote:
Negligence in the Translation of Hadith:
Nowadays, in the translations of Sahih al-Bukhari that are being published, some individuals make such blatant mistakes during translation that they should be called negligence.
For example, in the narration, the word "Wasit" refers to the city where the narrator resided, but contrary to this, it has been translated as follows:
"(Ash'ath narrated earlier with reference to Wasit)" (See Tafheem al-Bukhari, Juz: 22, p. 85)
As if, according to the translator, Wasit is the name of a narrator, whereas here the city of Wasit is meant, which is a settlement near Basra.
The commentators write: "Wa kana qala bi-Wasit"—that is, Shu'bah said (these words) in the city of Wasit in the previous time regarding his entire affair, i.e., he added this word. Some of the elders said that the one who said 'bi-Wasit' is Ash'ath, and Allah knows best. Thus it is in al-Kirmani (Hashiyah Bukhari, Juz: 22, p. 810).
That is, when Shu'bah said these words, he was in Wasit. Some people have taken Ash'ath to be meant by this, and Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
We have already explained this hadith in the Book of Ablution (Kitab al-Wudu), Chapter: Beginning with the Right Side (Bab al-Tayammum) (Hadith: 168).

In any case, the actions that are related to honor and respect, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would begin them from the right side, such as: ablution (wudu), ritual bath (ghusl), and so on.

The scholars have stated the reason for this is that the right side is beloved to Allah, therefore the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) also preferred it.

It is possible that the right side was a natural inclination of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and for this reason, this act is also beloved to Allah, because for the beloved, the action of the beloved is also beloved.

And Allah knows best.

Hadith Authentication (Takhrij al-Hadith):
[152۔ البخاري فى : 4 كتاب الوضوء : 21 باب التيمن فى الوضوء والغسل 168، مسلم 268، ترمذي 608]

Linguistic Explanation:
«التَّيَمُّن» To begin all actions with the right hand, right foot, and right side.
«تَنَعُّلِه» To put on footwear.
«تَرَجُّلِه» To comb the hair or beard.
«طُهُوْرِه» To perform ablution (wudu).

Hadith Commentary:
1.
In the Arabic language, "tayammum" has several meanings. For example: to begin from the right side, to take something with the right hand, to seek blessing, and to take an oath, etc. Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has specified the meaning of "tayammum" in the aforementioned hadith of Umm Atiyyah radi Allahu anha as beginning from the right side. This word is present in the narration of Sayyidah Aisha radi Allahu anha, that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam liked tayammum in every matter. (Fath al-Bari: 1/358) It is well known regarding Imam Bukhari’s method of titling that when he finds difficulty in deducing evidence for a particular issue under discussion, he expands the title by including something similar, which makes it easier to derive the intended ruling. Here too, when he found a scarcity of hadiths regarding beginning ablution (wudu) from the right side, he included the issue of ritual bath (ghusl) along with ablution, so that the issue of beginning from the right side in ablution becomes clear from the issue of tayammum in ghusl, because the ruling in this matter is the same for both ghusl and wudu. Thus, when it is required to begin from the right side in the ablution of the deceased, then in the ablution for prayer, this consideration should be observed even more so.

2.
Regarding the instructions that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave about giving his daughter a ritual bath (ghusl), there are two points:
(1)
To begin from the right side.
(2)
To begin from the parts of ablution (wudu).
The only way to act upon both these points simultaneously is to begin the ritual bath from the limbs of ablution in such a way that first the right hand of the deceased is washed, then the left hand; similarly, when it comes to washing the feet, first the right foot, then the left foot is washed. After this, the entire body is given a ritual bath.

3.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned the hadith of Aisha radi Allahu anha in the second position, even though it contains the word "tahur," which is a strong proof regarding beginning from the right side during ablution. However, he did not base his chapter heading on this hadith because the words "tayammum" and "tahur" in this hadith, due to their shared and ambiguous meanings, are not explicit for the intended purpose. As we have previously stated, the word "tayammum" is shared in the meanings of beginning from the right side, taking an oath, seeking blessing, and taking with the right hand. Similarly, there is ambiguity in the word "tahur" as to whether it refers to the purification of the body or the clothes, and whether it refers to ritual bath (ghusl) or ablution (wudu). For these reasons, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah gave the hadith of Aisha radi Allahu anha the second position and established the issue under discussion from the hadith of Umm Atiyyah radi Allahu anha by giving it the first position.

4.
The rule regarding choosing the right side is that matters related to honor and respect, and to adornment and beautification, should be started from the right side. For example: wearing clothes, putting on socks, entering the mosque, using the tooth-stick (miswak), applying kohl, cutting nails, trimming the mustache, combing the hair, removing armpit hair, shaving the head, turning for salam in prayer, washing the limbs of purification, exiting the toilet, eating, drinking, shaking hands, kissing the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), etc. And in matters contrary to these, the left side should be chosen. For example: entering the toilet, exiting the mosque, performing istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself), cleaning the nose, removing clothes or socks or stockings, etc. Also, there are some limbs of ablution in which the right or left is not considered, rather they are to be washed at once, such as the hands, ears, cheeks, etc. (Umdat al-Qari: 2/472)

5.
In some narrations, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would give preference to the right side as much as possible. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Salat, Hadith: 426) This means that if there is any hindrance in choosing the right side, then there is no harm in choosing the left side. (Fath al-Bari: 1/354)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
The actions that pertain to cleanliness, purification, and hygiene, and through which beauty, refinement, or dignity and honor are expressed, in general, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would begin them from the right side. In some instances, however, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) began from the left side, such as when removing footwear, he would remove the left shoe first; when exiting the mosque, he would step out with the left foot first; and when entering the toilet, he would enter with the left foot first.

421. Commentary: Wearing shoes and combing the hair, although not included among acts of worship, were also preferred by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to be done starting from the right side. Some people differentiate between customs and acts of worship, and consider following the Messenger in customs to be merely commendable, not obligatory. However, the hadith scholars (muhaddithin) consider following him in both to be necessary, except in cases where those customs are solely the result of a specific environment or are part of his unique temperament and disposition. See also Hadith 112 and its benefits.

112. Commentary:

➊ It is understood that both words are present in the hadith. The mention of one occurred on one occasion and the other on another occasion; these two words are not contradictory to each other, rather their outcome is the same.

➋ Just as with other commendable acts, it is also recommended (mustahabb) in ablution (wudu) to begin washing the limbs from the right side. Allah Ta’ala has favored the title “the people of the right” (ashab al-yameen) for the righteous and the people of Paradise in the Noble Qur’an: “the people of the right” [الواقعة : 27 : 56]. Naturally, the right side is generally stronger than the left. Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states: It is an established principle in the Shari’ah that in commendable and beautifying acts, it is recommended to begin from the right side, such as: wearing clothes, entering the mosque, combing the hair, and turning for salam in prayer, etc. And for acts contrary to these, it is recommended to begin from the left side, such as: entering the toilet, leaving the mosque, and removing clothes, etc. See: [شرح مسلم للنوي : 205/3 ، تحت حدیث : 268]

All matters: This refers to those matters which are appropriate to be done with the right hand; otherwise, actions such as performing istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself), blowing the nose, etc., are recommended (mustahabb) to be done with the left hand. Furthermore, matters that can be accomplished with one hand should be done so; otherwise, for tasks that require both hands, both hands will be used. For example: baking bread, or even eating certain things, such as tearing meat from a bone. However, even in such tasks, one should begin with the right hand. Also, this is only recommended (mustahabb); it should not be considered obligatory (fard). However, in eating and drinking, the use of the right hand is necessary, as well as in acts of worship, because acts of worship are different from customary actions. For further details, see Hadith: 112.

See, Hadith: 5062.

Commentary:
(1)
By "tahur" is meant every act that pertains to cleanliness and purity. Here, it refers to ablution (wudu) and ritual bath (ghusl).

(2)
In one narration, these words are also mentioned:
(وَفِي شَاْنِه كُلِّه)
"And in all his affairs," meaning that in other matters as well, he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) liked to begin from the right side. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Beginning from the right in ablution and ritual bath, Hadith: 168; and Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter: Beginning from the right in purification and other matters, Hadith: 268)
However, some things are excluded from this, such as performing istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself), exiting the mosque, removing shoes, cleaning the nose, and other such acts in which there is a natural aversion.

(3)
As for actions that are performed with only one hand, "tayammum" (preference for the right) means to do them with the right hand, for example: shaking hands, taking or giving something, writing, etc. Some scholars, in light of this hadith, have said that it is better to wear a watch on the right hand as well.

Lexical Explanation:
«يُعْجِبُهُ التَّيَمُّنُ» means that it was beloved and preferred by you to give precedence to the right side.
«فِيْ تَنَعُّلِهِ» "In wearing shoes."
«وَتَرَجُّلِهِ» "And in combing the hair."

Benefits and Issues:
➊ The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam preferred the right side in every good deed, for example: entering the mosque, turning for salam at the end of prayer, washing the limbs during ablution (wudu), eating and drinking, shaking hands, milking, wearing clothes, applying kohl, and using the tooth-stick (miswak), etc.
➋ The Muslim of the modern era has forgotten these precious things and, in imitation of others, has begun to prefer the left side instead of the right. This is a matter of great regret.

Benefits and Issues:
The hadith [33، 34] in Sunan Abi Dawud is weak.
However, the hadith [32] in Sunan Abi Dawud is authentic, and the issue is established from it, as the details of its benefits have already been mentioned.