Our life hinges of balance. If balance is lost, our every act becomes unstable. And when it comes to one's faith, everything should be done ensuring balance. Since Islam is a complete code of life, every aspect of man's life is covered in Qur'an and further explained by sayings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for ensuring balance.
For many, a prophet telling his companions how to wear clothes and shoes may look little awkward. But there is wisdom in everything that prophets of Allah do and tell others. Let us take wearing the shoes - something that is so easy to do, but wearing the right shoe first and taking of the left shoe later has wisdom in it.
This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 77 Dress / كتاب اللباس / Chapter 39: Do not walk wearing one shoe only / بَابُ يَنْزِعُ نَعْلَ الْيُسْرَى ) as Hadith 5855, given herein under:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If you want to put on your shoes, put on the right shoe first; and if you want to take them off, take the left one first. Let the right shoe be the first to be put on and the last to be taken off."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا انْتَعَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالْيَمِينِ وَإِذَا نَزَعَ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالشِّمَالِ، لِتَكُنِ الْيُمْنَى أَوَّلَهُمَا تُنْعَلُ وَآخِرَهُمَا تُنْزَعُ ".
Let us the wisdom behind this Hadith as understood by the scholars and Hadith interpreters:
- Honoring the Right Side:
- Preference for the Right: In Islamic teachings, the right side is often given preference in various actions. This is based on the principle of honoring what is perceived as better or more virtuous. For instance, the right hand is used for eating, drinking, and greeting others, reflecting a broader etiquette in daily life.
- Symbolism: The preference for the right side symbolizes positivity, righteousness, and blessing. By beginning with the right side, Muslims are reminded to start their actions with good intentions and in a manner that is pleasing to Allah.
- Attention to Detail and Discipline:
- Mindfulness: The instruction to pay attention to which shoe is put on or taken off first encourages mindfulness in even the smallest actions. This mindfulness extends to all aspects of life, reminding Muslims that their faith is not just about major acts of worship but also about integrating Islamic values into every aspect of daily living.
- Discipline: Following this simple guideline cultivates a sense of discipline. It teaches believers to be deliberate and conscious in their actions, fostering a habit of living with purpose and intentionality.
- Spiritual and Physical Balance:
- Holistic Approach: Islam encourages a holistic approach to life, where physical actions are connected to spiritual meanings. This Hadith exemplifies how even mundane actions like putting on shoes can be infused with spiritual awareness and can serve as a reminder of one’s relationship with Allah.
- Balancing Acts:
- The practice of starting with the right side and ending with the left can also be seen as a metaphor for balancing the spiritual and the physical, the mundane and the sacred.
- That is why in another Hadith it is said that either wear shoes in both feet or keep both naked.
- Avoiding Physical Imbalance: Walking with one shoe creates an imbalance in posture and gait, which can lead to discomfort or even injury. This Hadith encourages believers to maintain physical balance and avoid unnecessary strain on the body.
- Practical Advice: This advice is a practical guideline for daily life, emphasizing the importance of taking care of one's physical well-being. It reflects the broader Islamic principle of moderation and balance in all aspects of life.
- Humility and Adherence to Sunnah:
- Following the Sunnah: By adhering to even the smallest of the Prophet's practices, Muslims express their love for him and their commitment to following his example in all aspects of life. It reinforces the idea that no action is too small to be guided by the Sunnah.
- Humility: Following such detailed guidance also cultivates humility. It shows that believers are willing to follow the Prophet's teachings in all matters, big or small, thereby submitting fully to the guidance of Islam.
- Building a Habit of Consistency:
- Developing Consistency: Repeating this simple action consistently builds a habit of starting tasks with the right side, which can translate into consistency and order in other areas of life. It’s a small, daily practice that reinforces the importance of structure and order in one’s life.
The Hadith about putting on the right shoe first and taking off the left shoe first goes beyond simple etiquette. It carries profound wisdom related to honoring the right side, fostering mindfulness, discipline, spiritual balance, and adherence to the Sunnah. By following this practice, Muslims are reminded to approach all aspects of life, even the most mundane, with a sense of purpose, awareness, and alignment with Islamic principles. This teaching reflects the comprehensive nature of Islam, where spirituality is woven into every action, reinforcing the connection between faith and daily living.
My dear sisters and brothers in Islam, while we follow the Sunnah, Hadith and etiquette of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we should try to find wisdom behind each to know why even small things mean a lot for our religious education and inducing discipline in our lives.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Etiquettes taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. Assistance has also been taken from ChatGPT for expansion of meaning of the Hadith. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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