Written by: Fadheelat al-Sheikh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (may Allah preserve him)
عنہ رضى الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: "إذا انتعل أحدكم فليبدأ باليمين وإذا نزع فليبدأ بالشمال ولتكن اليمنى أولهما تنعل وآخرهما تنزع" [متفق عليه] ، [بلوغ المرام : 1247]
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When any of you wears shoes, let him begin with the right foot. And when he removes them, let him begin with the left foot, so that the right foot is the first to be put on and the last to be taken off."
[Agreed upon]
[Takhreej: Sahih Bukhari 5859, Sahih Muslim, The Book of Dress: 67], [Bulugh al-Maram: 1247], See also [Tuhfat al-Ashraf: 191/10]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) loved to start with the right in matters of adornment, honor, or anything noble.
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked to begin with the right in his wearing of shoes, combing his hair, performing ablution, and in all of his affairs."
[Agreed upon]
Examples include wearing pants, entering the mosque, or applying kohl. The reason for this preference is that the right side has been endowed by Allah with more strength and virtue, making it deserving of greater honor.
For Actions Opposite to Adornment, Begin with the Left:
For activities that involve actions opposite to honor or adornment, one should begin with the left, such as leaving the mosque or entering the restroom.
Wearing Shoes is a Matter of Adornment and Honor:
Since wearing shoes is considered an adornment, the command is to begin with the right foot. Conversely, when removing shoes, it should start with the left, so that the right foot remains adorned for the longest time.
[This explanation is provided by Al-Halimi in Fath al-Bari].
The Prophet (peace be upon him) Used the Right Hand for Noble Purposes:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would use his right hand for eating, drinking, wearing clothes, and performing ablution, while he used the left hand for actions related to cleanliness and removing impurities, such as cleaning oneself after using the restroom.
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Purification, Chapter 18]
He would also use his left hand to clean his nose.
[Sunan al-Darimi, Hadith 701]
Preference for the Right in All Affairs:
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) loved to use his right hand for taking and giving things, and he preferred the right side in all of his affairs.
[Sunan al-Nasa'i, Book of Adornment, Chapter 8, Sahih al-Nasa'i]
This demonstrates the Islamic etiquette of beginning with the right in matters of honor and cleanliness, and starting with the left in actions opposite to those. The wisdom behind these actions is to maintain honor and cleanliness in one's daily activities.
عنہ رضى الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: "إذا انتعل أحدكم فليبدأ باليمين وإذا نزع فليبدأ بالشمال ولتكن اليمنى أولهما تنعل وآخرهما تنزع" [متفق عليه] ، [بلوغ المرام : 1247]
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When any of you wears shoes, let him begin with the right foot. And when he removes them, let him begin with the left foot, so that the right foot is the first to be put on and the last to be taken off."
[Agreed upon]
[Takhreej: Sahih Bukhari 5859, Sahih Muslim, The Book of Dress: 67], [Bulugh al-Maram: 1247], See also [Tuhfat al-Ashraf: 191/10]
Benefits:
Begin with the Right in Matters of Honor or Adornment:The Prophet (peace be upon him) loved to start with the right in matters of adornment, honor, or anything noble.
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked to begin with the right in his wearing of shoes, combing his hair, performing ablution, and in all of his affairs."
[Agreed upon]
Examples include wearing pants, entering the mosque, or applying kohl. The reason for this preference is that the right side has been endowed by Allah with more strength and virtue, making it deserving of greater honor.
For Actions Opposite to Adornment, Begin with the Left:
For activities that involve actions opposite to honor or adornment, one should begin with the left, such as leaving the mosque or entering the restroom.
Wearing Shoes is a Matter of Adornment and Honor:
Since wearing shoes is considered an adornment, the command is to begin with the right foot. Conversely, when removing shoes, it should start with the left, so that the right foot remains adorned for the longest time.
[This explanation is provided by Al-Halimi in Fath al-Bari].
The Prophet (peace be upon him) Used the Right Hand for Noble Purposes:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would use his right hand for eating, drinking, wearing clothes, and performing ablution, while he used the left hand for actions related to cleanliness and removing impurities, such as cleaning oneself after using the restroom.
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Purification, Chapter 18]
He would also use his left hand to clean his nose.
[Sunan al-Darimi, Hadith 701]
Preference for the Right in All Affairs:
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) loved to use his right hand for taking and giving things, and he preferred the right side in all of his affairs.
[Sunan al-Nasa'i, Book of Adornment, Chapter 8, Sahih al-Nasa'i]
This demonstrates the Islamic etiquette of beginning with the right in matters of honor and cleanliness, and starting with the left in actions opposite to those. The wisdom behind these actions is to maintain honor and cleanliness in one's daily activities.