Hadith which says we should exit the house with the left foot?

[ummtaalib]

Leaving the home with the left foot

Question

Is there a hadith which says we should exit the house with the left foot?

 

Answer

There are numerous narrations which state that Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would use his right limbs for putting on clothes and carrying out honourable things like eating, combing his hair, wudhu etc. and his left limbs for removing his clothes and carrying out lowly, despicable things like istinja, entering the toilet etc.

(See Sahih Bukhari, hadith: 168)

 

Based on these hadiths, it is sunnah to do all honourable and respectful things with one’s right limbs and despicable things with one’s left limbs.

The ‘Ulama have recommended entering the home with the right foot and leaving the home with the left foot based on the above principle, although they don’t quote any clear hadith stating this.

(Fatawa Hadithiyyah of Ibn Hajar Al Haytami pg. 117 and Dalilul Falihin of Ibn ‘Allan, vol. 3 pg. 186)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Verified by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar & Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer

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