ABLUTION SECTION · 18 – USING THE RIGHT HAND WHEN ABLUTING
31 – According to the report of Katada, may Allah be pleased with him, from his father Abdullah bin Katada:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Let none of you touch his private parts with his right hand. Let him not cleanse himself with his right hand when he goes to relieve himself, and let him not drink in one gulp.” [52]
EXPLANATION
The right hand is for eating and drinking, and the left hand is for purification. Those who do not have a left hand are naturally obliged to purify themselves with their right hand.
The detestability of drinking water in one gulp is due to the aspect of health. For when water is drunk in one gulp, it is breathed into the cup. And breathing into the cup causes microbes to collect in the water and descend into the stomach more quickly.
32 – From Hafsa, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used his right hand for eating, drinking, and clothing, and his left hand for other than those things.
33 – Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used his right hand for purification and eating, and his left hand for relieving himself and cleansing anything impure on his body and clothing. [53]
EXPLANATION
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would wash with his left hand anything that needed to be washed from his clothes and body.
34 – From Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her: This is a narration with the same meaning as the preceding hadith.