Anas told that a domestic sheep was milked for God’s messenger and its milk was mixed with water from a well in Anas’s house. God’s messenger was then given a cup and drank, Abu Bakr being on his left and a nomadic Arab on his right. ‘Umar asked God’s messenger to give it to Abu Bakr, but he gave it to the nomadic Arab who was on his right saying, “He who is on the right, then he who is on his right.” A version has, “Those on the right, then those on their right; go to the right.”* *This tradition indicates that people should band a drink to the one on their right irrespective of the relative importance of the people present. The tradition immediately following brings this out clearly.(Bukhari and Muslim.)
Foods - Mishkat al-Masabih 4273
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.
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, transmitted through the trustworthy companion Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), contains profound lessons regarding Islamic etiquette and social conduct. The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated through practical action the principle of giving precedence to those on one's right side in matters of drinking and serving.
The incident occurred when a sheep was milked specifically for the Messenger of Allah, showing the honor accorded to him, and the milk was mixed with water from Anas's well, indicating the permissibility of mixing milk with water for consumption.
Legal Rulings and Etiquette
The primary legal ruling derived from this tradition concerns the etiquette of serving drinks. The Prophet's statement "He who is on the right, then he who is on his right" establishes that when distributing drinks, one should begin with the person seated to their right, then continue in that direction. This ruling applies regardless of the social status or religious standing of those present.
Significantly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) maintained this principle even when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab suggested giving precedence to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, who was the most virtuous companion after the prophets. This demonstrates that this etiquette transcends considerations of personal merit in such situations.
Spiritual Dimensions
The right side holds special significance in Islamic tradition, as numerous acts of worship favor the right side - using the right hand for eating and drinking, entering mosques with the right foot, and the righteous being recorded in the "book of deeds" with the right hand. Thus, this etiquette carries spiritual symbolism beyond mere social convention.
The Prophet's action teaches us to uphold principles over personal preferences, demonstrating that divine guidelines should govern our interactions rather than worldly considerations of status or relationship.
Practical Application
Scholars have ruled that this etiquette applies to all communal drinking situations, whether with water, milk, or other permissible beverages. However, if someone of greater religious knowledge or status is present specifically for learning purposes, exceptions may be made to facilitate their benefit.
This tradition exemplifies the comprehensive nature of Islamic guidance, covering even the most mundane aspects of daily life and transforming them into acts of worship through proper intention and adherence to prophetic example.