Commentary on the Hadith concerning using right hands to clean after urinating or defecating

Praise be to Allah,

 

It was narrated from ‘Abdullaah ibn Aboo Qataadah that his father (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) said,

“None of you should hold his private part in his right hand when he is urinating, nor wipe himself with his right hand after defecating, or breathe into the vessel (while drinking).”[i]

 

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. The prohibition of touching the private parts with the right hand while relieving oneself.

 

2. The prohibition of using the right hand for (istin-jaa) cleaning the private parts after relieving oneself.

 

3. The prohibition of breathing into the drinking vessel while drinking.

 

4. Avoiding unclean things, and if one is forced to do so – in that case, the left hand should be used.

 

5. The excellence and superiority of the right hand over the left hand.

 

6. Giving attention and showing concern for cleanliness in general, and especially in dealing with foods and drinks, which would be a cause of harm to one’s health if impurities come in contact with them (i.e. foods and drinks).

 

7. The exalted nature and loftiness of the Sharee‟ ah (Islamic Law) has commanded everything that is beneficial and warned us from all that is harmful.

 

8. The prohibition of breathing into the vessel of because that makes it unclean for the person after him and at times his breath could carry diseases by which the vessels become contaminated or saliva falls into the vessel, all of this is incompatible with good manners.

 

Ikh-tilaaf [Difference of Opinion]

Concerning whether the Nahyee (prohibition) in this hadeeth indicates at-Tahreem (that which is absolutely forbidden) or al-Kiraahah (that which is detestable).

 

1. az-Zhaahiriyyah (literalist) hold that it indicates at-Tahreem (absolute prohibition), based upon the apparent meaning of the hadeeth.

 

2. Al-Jamhoor (Majority of Scholars) hold that it indicates al-Kiraahah (something detestable), considering the prohibition here is simply a means of stressing good manners.

Allah knows best.

 

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page 49

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 38

 

 

[i] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 613, p. 389; Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 4,

Hadeeth Number 154, p. 144 [with slightly different wording]