721 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, liked to begin with the right in all his personal matters—in his purification, in combing his hair, and in putting on his sandals.” Agreed upon.

722 – She also said: “The right hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was for his purification and for his food, while his left hand was for relieving himself and for anything unclean.” A sound hadith, narrated by Abū Dāwūd and others with an authentic chain.

Commentary

Under the chapter entitled “The Recommendation to Give Precedence to the Right in Matters of Honour,” the author—may Allah have mercy on him—quotes the report of ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who says that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “liked the right side in all his affairs,” meaning in every circumstance. The phrase “he liked” indicates that it pleased him and that he preferred to start with the right in everything: in his ritual purification, in combing his hair, and in putting on his footwear.

“In his purification” means that when he performed wuduʾ (ritual ablution) he would start with the right limb—washing his right hand before the left and his right foot before the left. As for the ears, they are regarded as a single organ belonging to the head, so he would wipe them both together, unless someone is unable to wipe with both hands; in that case, he begins with the right ear out of necessity.