Chapter: The Prohibition of Imitating Satan and the Disbelievers

1634 – Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Do not eat with your left hand, for Satan eats and drinks with his left hand.” Recorded by Muslim.

1635 – Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Let none of you eat with his left hand or drink with it, for Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with it.” Recorded by Muslim.

Commentary

The author, in his work Riyad al-Salihin, entitles this section “The Prohibition of Imitating Satan and the Disbelievers.” Satan is the very head of unbelief, as Allah the Exalted says: “And when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam,’ they all prostrated except Iblis; he refused, acted arrogantly, and became one of the disbelievers” (Quran 2:34).

The disbelievers from the children of Adam are enemies of Allah and allies of Satan, just as Allah says: “Allah is the Protector of those who believe; He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their protectors are the false gods; they lead them from light into darkness. Such are the people of the Fire, wherein they shall remain forever” (Quran 2:257).

To imitate Satan or the disbelievers is to adopt their actions, wear clothing distinctive to them, or adorn oneself with their particular style, whether one intends the imitation or not.