Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 293

Prohibition of following the Manners of Satan and Disbelievers

باب النهي عن التشبه بالشيطان والكفار

This chapter is about identity through small habits. A believer is asked to carry a distinct character, even in ordinary acts like eating or grooming, so that the heart stays clear about whom it follows and whom it does not. The Arabic idea at work is tashabbuh, deliberately imitating the ways of others, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) gently steers us away from when those ways belong to Satan or to disbelief.

Notice the two threads woven together here. First, we are told not to copy Satan even in the manner of eating, because the right hand is the hand of dignity and the left is not. Second, we are encouraged to look visibly different from those who reject faith. The lesson is not contempt for anyone, but a quiet care that our outward habits keep reflecting an inward allegiance to Allah.

Hadith 1634

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا تأكلوا بالشمال، فإن الشيطان يأكل ويشرب بشماله‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: "Do not eat with your left hand, because Satan eats and drinks with his left hand." [Muslim].

In plain words

Do not eat with your left hand, because that is the manner of Satan. The right hand is the hand of dignity for eating and drinking.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1634 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 124

Hadith 1635

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا يأكلن أحدكم بشماله، ولا يشربن بها‏.‏ فإن الشيطان يأكل بشماله ويشرب بها‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "No person should eat and drink with his left hand for Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand." [Muslim].

In plain words

No one should eat or drink with his left hand, for that is Satan's way. Keep the right hand for nourishing yourself.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1635 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 125

Hadith 1636

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إن اليهود والنصارى لا يصبغون، فخالفوهم‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ المُرَادُ: خِضَابُ شَعْرِ اللِّحْيةِ والرَّأسِ الأبْيضِ بِصُفْرةٍ أوْ حُمْرةٍ، وأمَّا السَّوادُ، فَمنْهيُّ عَنْهُ كَما سَنَذْكُرُ في الْباب بعْدَهُ، إنْ شَاءَ اللَّه تَعَالَى.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: "Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so act differently from them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Since some who reject faith did not dye their greying hair, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the believers to do otherwise. A believer is encouraged to keep a distinct identity even in small habits.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1636 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 126