Project "Revive a Sunnah" Week 23

Week 23: March 9th-16th 2007
(19th-26th of Safar 1428 AH)

One would think that the sunnah which we are going to feature this week is much more widely practiced, but in reality it is not. This is unfortunate because it shows how much attention we give to our actions. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) advised us in a number of ahadith to eat only with the right hand. Every Muslim knows this, but when you see how many Muslims don't practice it, it is quite surprising. Let us first see what the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said in the ahadith.

From the Ahadith:

1.

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zubayr from Jabir ibn Abdullah as-Salami that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade a man to eat with his left hand or walk in one sandal or wrap a single garment around his drawn-up legs exposing his genitals.

[Imam Malik]

2.

Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Bakr ibn Ubaydullah ibn Abdullah ibn Umar from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you eat, eat with your right hand and drink with your right hand. Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand."

[Imam Malik]

Now, stop for a moment and think back whether you have always made sure you ate only with your right hand. You might have started eating with your right hand, but what did you when some food happened to drop on your left side? After you picked it up with your left hand, were you too lazy to switch it to your right hand before putting it in your mouth? And how about the time you ate with your right hand and then wanted to take a drink? Did you drink with your left hand in order not to "dirty" the cup with your right hand?

I'm not trying to annoy you with these questions. It's just that I see so many of our brothers get into "careless mode" when they eat. It's kind of a turn-off when you see someone doing so – especially after knowing the above ahadith. May Allah enable us to be mindful of our actions at all times, no matter how big or small our actions may be.

You are most welcome to direct any Feedback/Comments/Suggestions/Nominations to albosnawi@gmail.com

May Allah reward you all.
Praise be to Allah and may the blessings be upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).

Wa Salaamu Alaykoum,

Kemal Smajlovic