Drinking with the left hand


A: It was authentically reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that The Prophet (peace be upon him) has commanded Muslims to eat and drink with the right hand giving reasons for that by the fact that Satan eats and drinks with his left hand. In another Hadith, Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) (Part No. 22; Page No. 132) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade eating with the left hand, saying: "Do not eat with your left hand, for Satan eats with his left hand." These Hadiths indicate that it is forbidden to eat or drink with the left hand in order not to imitate our enemy, Satan.In the Hadith of the girl and the Bedouin whom Satan brought to eat without mentioning the Name of Allah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) held their hands so that Satan would not have food through their eating. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) justified his action, saying: "Satan considers that food lawful for himself on which the Name of Allah is not mentioned. He (Satan) brought this girl to make the food lawful through her but I caught her hand. Then, he brought the Bedouin to make food lawful through him but I caught his hand too. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, now Satan's hand is in my grasp along with her hand." The wording of another narration reads: ...Along with their hands. (Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith) (Part No. 22; Page No. 133) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


Tags: