Daily Lesson 42

This Weeks Sunnah

Sunnah Of Using The Right Hand

Many tasks we do during the day, require us to use either our right or left side. Sometimes, we use our right and sometimes we use our left without really realising which we are using. Today’s sunnah will teach us that by using the right side, which was used by our beloved Nabi , we will gain lots of reward, we will please Allah Ta’ala and we will acquire lots of barakah and blessings.

The mother of the believers Sayyidah Aaishah (رضي الله عنها) reports that our beloved Nabi always started from the right when he wore his shoes, combed his hair, performed ablution (wudhu) and whenever he did something good.

Our most beloved Nabi used the right side for all noble, praiseworthy, or superior actions. While he used the left side for actions which were inferior, unpleasant, or not suitable for the right side.

Let us take a look at some examples of when the right side should be used:

  • When shaking hands with someone
  • When holding the Qur’an or any deeni book
  • While passing something or receiving something
  • While wearing any clothing
  • While entering the masjid 
  • While exiting the bathroom/toilet
  • While passing something round in a circle or while having food (pass to the right side)

Let us now take a look at a few examples of when the left side should be used:

  • When removing our clothes (revealing our body is an inferior act)
  • When lifting our shoes
  • When leaving the masjid 
  • When entering the toilet 
  • Washing ourselves after visiting the bathroom/toilet
  • Cleaning the nose

This sunnah is among those easy to practice sunnats of our beloved Nabi which do not require any extra time or effort. It just requires us to be attentive till it becomes a habit to us.

Here are some reasons why the right side is preferred:

1) Shaytaan prefers the use of the left hand such as when eating and drinking. Using the right hand opposes Shaytaan and makes Allah happy.

2) The right hand is deserving of being honoured over the left hand.  

3) People should be respected by using the right hand to shake hands and to give and take items. (This is because the left hand is used to clean oneself in the bathroom). 

4) It is a sign of hope that Allah Ta’aala will make us from among the Ahlul Yameen (meaning those people who will be given their book of deeds in their right hand or those people who will enter Jannah.)

This Weeks Du’a

Dua After A Gathering

When we are sitting with friends and family and the time comes for us to leave, we usually say salams and goodbyes, etc. Let us today learn a very simple dua, which will help us to erase any wrong we may have done while we were together and gain Allah’s forgiveness.

In the Hadeeth of our beloved Nabi ﷺ we find the following dua:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

Transliteration:

Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk

Translation:

“Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is to You. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You”.

[Sunan Abu Dawud]

Our beloved Nabi ﷺ despite being free from sin still recited this dua which gives us a practical lesson of its importance. Especially when we consider the number of wrongs which take place in our gatherings.

When reading this dua we should remember that:

1) We are praising Allah Ta’aala to attract his mercy and attention.

2) We are humbling ourselves before Him

3) We are asking His forgiveness for any gossip, backbiting, sinful talk, etc we may have done

4) If no sin was done, we are asking for forgiveness for any time we may have wasted

5) We are engaging in the zikr of Allah Ta’aala and following a Sunnah of our amazing Nabi ﷺ.

So, the next time we are about to leave any gathering, chat, group, family visit, class, etc. We should read this dua first and then leave.

Important:

This dua does not mean we carelessly engage in wrong during any gatherings. We must still be careful and use this as a way to help us if we made any mistakes.

Some etiquettes to remember when meeting others:

1) Be careful not to backbite about anyone as backbiting is haram. It has been described in the Qur’an as eating your dead brother’s flesh.

2) Ensure to mention and remember Allah Ta’aala as often as possible in your gatherings. By doing this Allah Ta’aala will remember us in a better gathering (The gathering of angels).

3) Talk of good things, inviting people through wisdom and kindness towards good and refraining from evil.

4) Do not make gatherings a way of pass times. Every minute of our life is precious and should be valued.

5) Where possible give words of support and encouragement to those afflicted with difficulties. This is a Sunnah and will earn rewards.

6) When entering or leaving a gathering say the words of salaam aloud (making sure not to disturb the gathering). This sunnah should be followed no matter how many times a person has to leave and re-join the gathering.

7) When a senior person or pious person enters the gathering, a position (seating) appropriate to their position should be offered. If food is being served, it should be initiated from the most senior or respected.

8) Those younger or junior should be courteous towards those senior by offering their place if the gathering is full.

9) Always end any gathering with the Sunnah dua.