It was narrated ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, used to like to start with the right side (over the left) when putting on his slippers, combing his hair, purifying himself and in all his affairs.” (1).

In this Hadeeth, there are several important notes. We will review them in the following lines:

Firstly, this Hadeeth points out the virtues of the Mothers of the Believers, may Allaah be pleased with them, especially ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, may Allaah be pleased with him, the well-versed, knowledgeable, righteous and pious. She, may Allaah be pleased with him, has conveyed to us many of the conditions of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, in his house that no one except his wives can know. Amongst her virtues is that she, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported for us many Hadeeths, great beneficial knowledge and some of the acts of the actions of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, so that his followers may follow his footsteps and get refined with his manners and teachings, follow his Sunnah and way of life, adhere to his approach for he, peace and blessing be upon him, is the ideal example and best pattern to follow and the practical example of Islam and its teachings. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allaah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allaah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allaah often.} [Quran 33:21 ]  (2).

Thus, we have to follow him, peace and blessing be upon him, adhere to his way, adopt his footsteps and not to invent anything regarding his Sunnah or neglect it, or exaggerate in some of what he, peace and blessing be upon him, has come with. That is because his approach is the middle path between the two extremes.

Secondly, her saying: “…used to like to start with the right…” it was said because he, peace and blessing be upon him, likes the good omen for the companions of right are the people of Paradise. In another narration, “The Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, liked to start on the right as much as possible in everything.” Al-Haafith noted that one should adhere to that except if there is something prevents him from doing so.

Thirdly, her saying: “…when putting on shoes…” and her saying: “…combing his hair…”

Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Combing hair is done by water or oil so that it may be soft.”

Her saying: “… purifying himself…”, may refer to the act of purification or the water itself with which he purifies himself. What is meant in the stated matters in the Hadeeth is that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, used to start putting on his shoes with his right leg and this means that taking them off will be on the left one. As for combing hair, it means that he starts doing so on the right side of the head and then combs it and then the left one. As for purification, he, peace and blessing be upon him, starts purifying the right of his organs such as the foot and hand and starts from the right side of his body while performing ritual bathing before his left side and so on.

Fourthly, as for her saying “…and in all his affairs”, Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Sheykh Taqi Ad-Deen, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “It is something general but also specified. That is because getting into the toilet and getting out of the mosque and the like one starts on the left and then Al-Haafith, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “To confirm the matter she said “all of his affairs” indicates generalization because confirmation removes metaphor.” Thus, it can be said: “The reality of the matter is what is an intended action, while what easiness is recommended in is not included in the intended actions; rather, it is neglected or unintended.

Fifthly, such matters that ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, stated are just examples for the matters in which the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, starts on the right. Muslim scholars have stated the basic principle in this regard: “That which has to do with honour, nobility and adornment, it is recommended to start on the right or use the right hand. As for things which are the opposite, it is recommended to start on the left or use the left hand.

It is more appropriate to start on the right in the matters such as putting on one's garment and pants and shoes, entering the mosque, trimming the moustache, combing the hair, plucking the armpit hair, shaving the head, saying salaam at the end of prayer, washing the limbs when purifying oneself, exiting the toilet, eating and drinking, shaking hands, touching the Black Stone, taking and giving things, and the like that are honored.

It is more appropriate to start on the left in the matters such as entering the toilet and places of impurity, exiting the mosque and the house, blowing one’s nose, cleaning oneself after using the toilet, taking off one’s garment, pants, shoes, socks and so on. All of that is because the right hand is more noble and honoured.

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1) Reported by Al-Bukhaari in the Book of Wudoo’ (i.e. ablution), chapter of starting with the right in ablution and Ghusl (i.e. ritual bathing) 1/269, no. 168 and Muslim in the Book of Tahaarah (i.e. purification), the chapter of starting with the right in purification 1/226, no. 268. 

2) Soorat Al-Ahzaab, Ayah (verse) no. 21.

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