He reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you must ever eat or drink with his left hand, for the devil eats and drinks with his left hand.” Muslim transmitted it.
Foods - Mishkat al-Masabih 4163
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim contains a clear prohibition against eating and drinking with the left hand. The phrasing "none of you must ever" indicates the strength of this prohibition, making it a matter of great importance in Islamic etiquette.
The Prophet ﷺ connected this practice to the devil's behavior, indicating that using the left hand for eating and drinking resembles the way of Satan, whom every Muslim should strive to oppose in all matters.
Legal Ruling
The majority of scholars consider eating and drinking with the left hand to be makruh tahrimi (strongly disliked, approaching prohibition) rather than absolutely haram. However, some Hanbali scholars have declared it haram based on the strong wording of the prohibition.
This ruling applies when one is able to use the right hand. In cases of necessity, such as injury or disability, using the left hand becomes permissible as necessity renders the prohibited allowable.
Wisdom and Benefits
The wisdom behind this teaching includes maintaining cleanliness, as the left hand is typically used for cleaning impurities. It also cultivates discipline and distinguishes Muslim practice from that of Satan and those who follow his ways.
This teaching trains the believer to bring blessings into all aspects of life, even mundane acts like eating and drinking, by following the Sunnah and opposing Satan's path.
Practical Application
Muslims should consciously train themselves and their children to use the right hand for eating, drinking, giving and receiving items of honor. The left hand should be reserved for cleaning and handling impure things.
If one accidentally begins eating with the left hand, they should immediately switch to the right hand upon remembering. Consistency in this practice helps internalize the prophetic teaching and earn reward for following the Sunnah.