The Prophet (ﷺ) used his right hand for getting water for ablution and taking food, and his left hand for his evacuation and for anything repugnant.
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 33
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and companions.
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud establishes the Prophetic practice of distinguishing between the right and left hands for different purposes. The right hand is designated for noble acts like purification and eating, while the left is reserved for cleansing from impurities and handling unclean matters.
Legal Rulings
Scholars consider this distinction to be strongly recommended (mustahabb) rather than obligatory. The right hand should be preferred for honorable actions including giving and receiving, wearing clothes, entering mosques, and handling the Quran. The left hand is used for cleaning oneself after answering the call of nature, removing nasal mucus, and handling dirty objects.
Spiritual Wisdom
This practice instills divine order in daily life, teaching Muslims to honor clean acts and separate them from impurities. It cultivates mindfulness of Allah in even the smallest actions, transforming mundane activities into acts of worship through following the Sunnah.
Practical Application
When performing wudu, use the right hand to take water. When eating, use the right hand unless there is a valid excuse. When cleaning after using the toilet, use the left hand. This distinction applies to all similar acts of honor versus impurity throughout daily life.