Most-asked question
Is eating with the left hand sinful?
15 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 3 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“1. It is prohibited to eat or drink with the left hand. 2. Since some people are natural left handed, they may write or do other things with the left hand. 3. This is no indication of spiritual deficiency.”
“The hadith has prohibited eating with the left hand.”
“To wear a watch on both hands is permissible. Some Ulema have mentioned that since a watch is used for good deeds such as checking the time for Salaah etc. it should be worn on the right hand.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Writing Āyāt of the Qur’ān with the left hand - Is this permissible?Ask Imaam · 8 Nov 2024
- Wearing A Watch On the Left HandIbn Masood · 16 Jun 2024
- Teaching a child with a dominant left hand to eat with the right handMufti Online · 21 Oct 2026
- Left-handed people eating with the left handAsk Imaam · 5 Feb 2018
- Eating with the left handMufti Online · 8 Jul 2018
- In which hand should we wear our watch? Is it permissible to wear it in our left hand?Ask Imaam · 17 Feb 2010
- Using the left hand placing the right hand under the glass when drinking waterMufti Online · 3 Oct 2012
- Can i write Quran with my left hand?Ask Imaam · 24 Aug 2009
- Eating with the left hand due to necessityMufti Online · 10 Nov 2018
- Is it alright to let my children use their left hand to eat/drink, write, etc.? How can I become an Alima?Ask Imaam · 5 Dec 2002
- Eating with the left hand due to an excuseMufti Online · 3 Dec 2016
- Eating or drinking with the left handAsk Imaam · 29 Apr 2002
- Where should one place his left hand when sleeping?Mufti Online · 21 May 2013
- What does Islam say about using the left hand to write with?Ask Imaam · 3 Nov 2000
- I saw in my dreams that there is very unusual hard inflamed spot on my left hand. It was so terrible that it so the flesh of hand is just looking like a roasted skinAsk Imaam · 20 Jun 2002
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