Written by: Fadilat al-Sheikh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (may Allah protect him)
Narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, for indeed, Satan eats and drinks with his left hand."
[Sahih Muslim]
This Hadith clearly indicates that it is forbidden to eat or drink with the left hand because it resembles the actions of Satan. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
[Abu Dawood, Book of Clothing, 4]
See also [Sahih Abu Dawood 3401]. If it is prohibited to resemble sinful and corrupt individuals, then resembling Satan is even more severely prohibited.
Teaching Children Proper Etiquette:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed his step-son, Umar bin Abu Salama (may Allah be pleased with him), saying:
"O young boy, say ‘Bismillah,’ eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Foods, 3]
Consequences of Refusing to Obey:
A man once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and started eating with his left hand. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Eat with your right hand."
The man replied, "I cannot," though he said this out of arrogance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said:
"May you never be able to do so."
After that, the man was unable to lift his right hand to his mouth.
[Sahih Muslim, narrated by Salama bin Al-Akwa, Book of Drinks, 107]
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of adhering to the prophetic guidance on proper eating and drinking etiquette and the consequences of refusing to follow it, particularly out of arrogance.
Narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, for indeed, Satan eats and drinks with his left hand."
[Sahih Muslim]
References:
- Sahih Muslim [Book of Drinks, 105]
- See also: Tuhfat al-Ashraf [6/267, 6/140, 5/400]
Lessons:
Eating and Drinking with the Left Hand is Forbidden:This Hadith clearly indicates that it is forbidden to eat or drink with the left hand because it resembles the actions of Satan. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
[Abu Dawood, Book of Clothing, 4]
See also [Sahih Abu Dawood 3401]. If it is prohibited to resemble sinful and corrupt individuals, then resembling Satan is even more severely prohibited.
Teaching Children Proper Etiquette:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed his step-son, Umar bin Abu Salama (may Allah be pleased with him), saying:
"O young boy, say ‘Bismillah,’ eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Foods, 3]
Consequences of Refusing to Obey:
A man once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and started eating with his left hand. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Eat with your right hand."
The man replied, "I cannot," though he said this out of arrogance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said:
"May you never be able to do so."
After that, the man was unable to lift his right hand to his mouth.
[Sahih Muslim, narrated by Salama bin Al-Akwa, Book of Drinks, 107]
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of adhering to the prophetic guidance on proper eating and drinking etiquette and the consequences of refusing to follow it, particularly out of arrogance.