The Left Hand (Golden Words of Allah Episode 68)

“And do not follow the footsteps of Shaytan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:168)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

The Qur’an commands us not to follow the footsteps of Shaytan, and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us to distinguish ourselves from him even in the simplest habits. One of the Prophet’s constant instructions was to use the right hand for noble actions like eating, drinking, greeting, and giving, and to reserve the left hand for removing impurities.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, for indeed Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2020)

In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) cursed the one who deliberately eats or drinks with his left hand out of pride and arrogance (Sahih Muslim).

The Prophet (pbuh) trained his companions to practice discipline and mindfulness in even the smallest acts. By consistently using the right hand for honourable deeds, a believer learns humility, gratitude, and obedience to Allah. Meanwhile, the left hand was designated for removing harm and impurities, teaching us cleanliness and respect for the blessings of Allah.

This practice became so ingrained that the companions passed it down with care. Teaching children to eat and drink with their right hand was among the earliest etiquettes instilled in them.

The Prophet (pbuh) once saw a young boy eating with his left hand. He said to him gently: “O young boy, say Bismillah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5376; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2022)

The Qur’an warns us not to imitate Shaytan. One of the simplest ways to live by this command is to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh): eating, drinking, giving, and greeting with the right hand, while using the left for what is less honourable.

Such small acts, when done with intention, transform daily habits into worship.

“Indeed, the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small.”(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

May Allah grant us the humility to follow the Sunnah in all matters, big and small.

And Allah knows best.

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