Heh. Just noticed that my question is a bit too broad. What I mean, Manson, is can you quote a verse in the Qur’an which applies to that? I searched for “right hand” and got 37 hits, none of which applied.
It’s mentioned in Sunna, not the Qur’an.
Manson: Then it doesn’t apply to all of Islam? I would think, then, that it’s a holdover of particular cultures, wouldn’t it be?
mangeorge: I guess the really juvenile part of it is the thinking of “That guy’s so stupid he doesn’t realize he’s being insulted!” Which, then, is more ammo for hating that person. Go figure.
I wipe my ass with my left hand, come to think of it. So do most people I’ve ever observed. I’m quasi-right handed, re-trained as a catholic boy.
How 'bout other westerners? Lefties?
BTW; I think that the pioneers would, if water was handy, wash themselves in this manner.
I guess you could always find cultures in any religion Monty, that pick and choose what they want to follow, but because instructions on use of the right hand related to food are in Sunna, and are Islamic beliefs practiced by Muslims all over the world, they are to be considered religious beliefs and not cultural ones.
Okay, Manson; What part of the Sunna? Could you cite it, please?
OK Monty, if its that important to you I’ll do a search.
Book 49, Number 49.4.5:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu’z-Zubayr from Jabir ibn Abdullah as-Salami that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade a man to eat with his left hand or walk in one sandal or wrap a single garment around his drawn-up legs exposing his genitals.
Book 49, Number 49.4.6:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Abu Bakr ibn Ubaydullah ibn Abdullah ibn Umar from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When you eat, eat with your right hand and drink with your right hand. Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”
From Islamonline.net
Thanks! {I bet you knew this was coming!} How authorative are those particular Hadith? Are there any groups within Islam that disagree regarding its provenance?
Actually, I’d prefer to see a cite that says it is derived from cultural and not the teachings of Islam. I have seen a cite that says it is.
There will always be breakaway and fringe groups that do not conform to the old teachings, and there are practicing Muslims who have adopted Western ways and do not comply with this teaching. That does not say it is not a teaching of Islam, that says it is not universally followed to the letter.