Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “When any of you eats he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks he should drink with his right hand.” Muslim transmitted it.
Foods - Mishkat al-Masabih 4162
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
This noble hadith transmitted by Imam Muslim in his Sahih collection, narrated by the esteemed companion Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), contains profound wisdom regarding the etiquette of eating and drinking. The command to use the right hand for these acts of consumption is not merely a cultural preference but rather a divine instruction rooted in spiritual wisdom.
The Wisdom Behind Right-Hand Preference
The scholars of Islam have explained that the right hand is designated for honorable acts while the left hand is reserved for cleansing and less honorable tasks. This distinction reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic teachings that encompass both spiritual and physical aspects of life.
Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that using the right hand for eating and drinking is among the sunan al-fitra (natural dispositions) and is strongly recommended (mustahabb). The prohibition of using the left hand applies unless there is a valid excuse such as injury or disability.
Legal Ruling and Exceptions
The majority of scholars consider using the right hand for eating and drinking to be strongly recommended (mandub), while some hold it to be obligatory (wajib). The stronger opinion is that it is highly emphasized sunnah, and deliberately using the left hand without excuse is reprehensible (makruh).
Exceptions are made for those with legitimate reasons preventing them from using their right hand, as Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. The principle in Islamic jurisprudence is that necessity permits the prohibited, and hardship calls for ease.
Spiritual Dimensions
This teaching trains the believer to remember Allah in even the most mundane activities, transforming eating and drinking from mere physical acts into acts of worship when performed in accordance with divine guidance.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) noted that following the Prophet's guidance in matters of eating and drinking brings both worldly and spiritual benefits, including barakah (blessing) in one's sustenance and protection from Satan's influence, as Satan partakes from what is eaten with the left hand.