Left & Right - Is there a preference in Islam

[Mali]

Assalamu-alaikum my dear brothers, sisters and respected elders in Islam.

Since from when I can remember I have always known to eat with my right hand. I can only think of two reasons for this;

1) The first being that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used his right hand to eat and
2) The second being that I always been taught to clean myself with my left hand.

But the discussion I open up to the forum is whether the prophet used his right hand to eat because Right has preference or whether he used the hand that came naturally to him (which happened to be his right!). I ask to know if those who are left-handed can simply eat with their Left and clean with their Right. Can this not be the case?

Kind Regards
Muklis

[Alhumdulillah]

Assalamoalaykum!

From Shamail Tirmidhi, there is a hadith as follows:

Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu anha) says that, "Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) liked to begin with the right while combing his hair; while performing ablution (wudhu) and when putting on his shoes. (Translators Note: Also in every other deed, he first began with the right then the left).

Commentary:

This (beginning from the right) is not confined to the three acts mentioned in this Hadith. Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) began everything with the right, that is why every other deed has been added in the translation of the Hadith. The basic rule is, that all those things that reflect dignity and elegance, while putting on these the right is preferred, and when removing them the left is begun with, as when putting on clothes, shoes etc. When one enters the Masjid, one enters with the right foot and leaves with the left foot first, as this is the place of dignity and greatness. Contrary to this, in those things that do not have elegance in them, for instance when entering the toilet, begin with the left.

Wasalaam.

[Karimah]

if you are left handed, there is no fault on you, its natural. still, you should discipline yourself to eat with the right hand.

Umar bin Abi Salamah(ra) related that Rasulullah (saw) said, "Say 'Bismillah', eat with your right hand and eat what is near you."

The Holy Qur'an, 90:17 to 18 - Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. Such are the Companions of the Right Hand.

The Holy Qur'an, 90:19 to 20 - But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round).




(the following is an interesting article you may enjoy, inshaa Allah)
http://www.****************/en/module...article&sid=14



Peace

[Companion]

I dont agree that if one person is left handed they have to force themself to eat with right. How would a right handed feel if he has to eat with his left (not from hygenic point of view but the inconvenience of it all)?

If one could speak to the Messenger I can tell you for sure he would not advise in forcing a left handed person to become right handed, as many of us try to do implicitly.

[br_syed]

I dont agree that if one person is left handed they have to force themself to eat with right. How would a right handed feel if he has to eat with his left (not from hygenic point of view but the inconvenience of it all)?

If one could speak to the Messenger I can tell you for sure he would not advise in forcing a left handed person to become right handed, as many of us try to do implicitly.

Assalamulaikum

I know someone who eats with his right-hand but is left-handed. He has never complained about the problem nor has it ever been thought by his family as strange. Indeed, sometimes it works to his advantage as he is able to check his daughter's homework with one hand and eat with the other.

I feel the best persons to reply to your specific query may be other brothers and sisters who are also left-handed. Plus, remember Bruv all the more reward for your efforts.

[Mali]

Assalamu-alaikum my dear brothers, sisters and respected elders in Islam.

Sister Karimah: I am actually right-handed, I bought this discussion up because I wanted to understand the reasoning behind the Right favouring the Left. Even in the Quran I don't know (Please advise if anyone does) if the Right Hand/Left Hand is a physical representation of our extremities or a differentiation bewteen right and wrong.

Companion: I am unsure wether it is actualy the Right hand that prophet Muhammed (PBUH) recommened that we use or to use the hand that we feel most natural with.

Thank you for your relplies,

Kind Regards
Muklis