Why does the Muslim Allah decree that the left hand can't be used for eating?

Question

Someone wrote,

"using the left hand to wipe after defecating is for hygienic reasons because you are supposed to eat with the right hand. Now imagine, using the same hand for eating and washing, that's gross".

Don't you think that some of Islam's rules should be reformed? In modern, civilized societies, there are signs in public restrooms that encourage people to wash their hands after using the facilities, rendering both hands clean to eat or carry on with their activities.

It seems to me that a sensible person would wash their left hand instead of leaving excrement on it so as to render it unusable?

Answer 1

[It seems to me that a sensible person would wash their left hand instead of leaving excrement on it so as to render it unusable?]

yes, well, sandblasting (pretty much the only cleaning most of them have access to) can be rough on the skin.

Answer 2

When a man ate with his left hand in his presence, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Eat with your right hand.” He said, “I cannot.” He said, “May you never be able to!” Nothing was stopping him but his stubborn arrogance, and he never raised his right hand to his mouth after that. (Reported by Muslim, 3776). According to a report narrated by al-Daarimi, “his right hand never reached his mouth”. This man suffered paralysis because of the du’aa’ of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “In this hadeeth we have an indication that it is allowed to pray against a person who breaks a shar’i rule with no excuse. We also see the principle of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil in all situations, even with regard to eating. It encourages us to teach proper manners of eating to a person who is eating if he is doing something wrong. The hadeeth also teaches us that the Shaytaan eats with his left hand, because of the hadeeth: “When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, because the Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” (Reported by Muslim, 3764). The Shaytaan eats with his left hand so the person who eats with his left hand resembles the Shaytaan, indeed the Shaytaan is sharing his food with him. Ahmad reported with a hasan isnaad from ‘Aa’ishah and attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever eats with his left hand, the Shaytaan eats with him.” (Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, commentary on hadeeth 1721).

Moreover, the left hand should be reserved for removing dirt, as when cleaning oneself after going to the toilet (istinja’) and blowing one’s nose and other kinds of cleaning oneself and removing dirt. How can a person use that which is used for removing dirt and impurities for putting food in his mouth?

Hafsah (may Allaah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking and getting dressed and his left hand for everything else. (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 30)

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“This is a fixed rule in sharee’ah. It has to do with honourable things such as putting on one’s shirt, trousers and shoes, entering the mosque, using siwaak, applying kohl, … combing and styling one’s hair, … shaving the head, giving salaam at the end of prayer, washing oneself in ghusl or wudoo’, leaving the toilet, eating, drinking, shaking hands, acknowledging the Black Stone, and other things where we are encouraged to use the right hand or start with the right. As for the opposite [things that are not honourable], such as entering the toilet, leaving the mosque, blowing one’s nose, washing oneself after using the toilet, taking off one's shirt, trousers and shoes, and so on, then we should start with the left or use the left hand. All of this has to do with honouring the right hand or right side.”

Answer 3

Thanks for your not-so-serious question.

Islam is an eternal religion. Its basic rules and principles are unchangeable for they, being from Allah, are applicable to all times and places. Islam provides humanity with basic rules of morality and guidelines of proper conduct in all spheres of life. It provides the guidelines and principles upon which laws and regulations can be established. In light of the guidelines and basic values Islam stipulates that humans regulate their worldly life in accordance with their time and region.

Regarding that question of using left hand, I had already answered that and other answerers did a great job in answering that too. In Islam, we follow Sunnah of our beloved Prophet(pbuh) unlike you, and if the person cannot use her left hand for cleaning herself, then it is okay for him/her as it Sunnah and IS NOT obligatory. Sunnah means an act that has been observed by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and it is recommended to follow it, but not mandatory. Eating with the right hand is a Sunnah and not an obligation.

Islam is the only religion which has established machinery for the perennial evolution of human society in accordance with the fundamental principles and permanent values of life.

Edit: Some say Islam is an eternal religion because they have had the beautiful and the powerful impact of this way of life IN their lives. God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Do read more about Islam, nope not from anti-Islamic websites, but from reliable websites. Thank you.

Answer 4

OH gosh you make me laugh! How silly actually are you Trooper of course we wash our hands after going to the toilet!  

Answer 5

Not all Muslim believe that.

Besides, all religion is nonsense.

Here's the Bible:

"If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity." Deuteronomy 25:11-12

Why would she do this and were there any repeat offenders?

Answer 6

Actually, we eat with our right hands because satan eats with the left hand.

The Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH) narrated in his authentic hadith:

“When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, because the Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”

and he also narrated (PBUH):

“Whoever eats with his left hand, the Shaytaan eats with him.”

All praise to Allah, we do not follow in the footsteps of satan.

Answer 7

None of the Abrahamic religions like the left hand.  For some reason they think something evil of it.

This in Christianity:

Christianity is strongly based towards the right hand. It is the right had that gives the blessing and make the sign of the cross.

On one count, the bible contains over 100 favourable reference to the right-hand and 25 unfavourable references to the left-hand. E.g.: The right hand of the lord doeth valiantly, the right hand of the lord is exalted (Psalm 118 vv15,16)

The left hand does worst in the parable of the sheep and goats. The sheep are set on Christ's right hand and the goats on the left. Those on the right inherit the kingdom of god while those on the let depart into everlasting fire.

Answer 8

i agree. they should.

Answer 9

i don't really think it matters what had we use cause now a days everyone eats wit forks and spoons and knives. it's not like we're touching our food wit our hands or something.

Answer 10

You asked “Don't you think that some of Islam's rules should be reformed?” and “Why does the Muslim Allah decree that the left hand can't be used for eating?”

In your post, you answered both. I have to ask, what is the question you want answered? I have some suggestions, if you are unsure:

Why do people fear what they do not understand?

Why is hate and bigotry found in every culture, even virtual communities?

My answer for both: Culture is not a threat to you, spend less time online, and discover something new.

Answer 11

Islam is full of ridiculous rules.   A very primitive religion.

Answer 12

It's not forbidden, it's disliked for obvious reasons. If you want to eat with the same hand you wipe your a$s with then knock yourself out.

Answer 13

Sounds simple enough. I call it the curse (or stronghold) of traditionalism. Of course not all traditions are bad, but there are those (like this one) that don't really make sense, yet so many people still follow it blindly. It is this mindset that hinders so many people in general, and keeps people from being saved.

Jesus came against this in several instances.  Some examples (off the top of my head) include ......

when Jesus healed on the sabbath (It broke tradition to do work on the sabbath)

when the disciples were criticized for not washing their hands (as per the tradition) and Jesus said it is not what goes in a man's mouth, but what comes out of it that makes him unclean

when Jesus talked to the woman at the well (which was a big no no)

when Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (again a no no)

When Jesus washed the disciples' feet and taught them to do the same (be servants, and the whole last will be the first thing) (Tradition was the opposite)

When Jesus (and Paul) talked about no meat being unclean (which went against the traditional rules)

The fact that Jesus came to the world in humility, and conducted Himself as a poor and humble servant rather than exalting Himself.

I could go on and on, but the point is people have been bound by this kind of (traditionalist) mindset. Jesus came and taught better. There are those who listen to Him and God opens their eyes, gives them wisdom, and blesses them beyond measure. But there are also those who don't listen and stay in darkness.

Answer 14

how about using toilet paper, washing hands, and eating with a fork?