Is It Disliked or Sinful to Shake Hands with the Left Hand?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
I know it is recommended to greet and shake hands with the right hand. What is the ruling on shaking hands with the left hand instead? Is it disliked, sinful, or simply contrary to proper etiquette?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray this finds you in the best of faith and well-being.
Shaking hands with the left hand, when there is no need, goes against the Sunna and is considered disliked. It is not sinful in the strict sense. When you extend your right hand, you revive the Sunna and are rewarded for it.
The Right Hand: Sunna, Care, and Concern
The right hand is used for acts of honor, such as eating, drinking, giving, taking, greeting, and putting on clothes. The left hand is for what is contrary to this.
The Mother of the Believers, Sayyida Aisha (Allah be pleased with her), said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to like to begin with the right side in his putting on shoes, combing his hair, his purification, and in all his affairs.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
A man once ate before the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) using his left hand. He (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to him, “Eat with your right hand.” [Muslim]
Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) explains this as a command of recommendation and propriety, not as a matter of necessity. [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim]
If the right hand is injured, ritually unclean, or occupied, extending the left to greet is excused, and the dislike falls away. [Ibn ‘Allan, Dalil al-Falihin; Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih; Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha]
Reviving a Living Sunna
The right hand is one of the smallest daily occasions to revive the practice of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When you greet a fellow believer with your right hand, you bring the guidance and love of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) into your meeting. Offer it when you are able. If you are unable, take comfort in the ease and mercy Allah has placed in His religion.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related Answers
- Is Saying Someone “May Allah Accept It” after the Prayer a Bid‘a? — Discusses shaking hands after prayer and the scholarly rulings concerning the practice.
- Forgotten Sunnas: Greetings of Peace — Outlines the Prophetic etiquettes of greeting, handshaking, and fostering brotherhood.
- Should I Maintain Eye Contact When Greeting Someone? — Covers the etiquette of greeting and shaking hands when meeting fellow Muslims.
- Must We Always Follow the Sunna Etiquettes? — Explains how Sunna practices are followed and how valid social or practical considerations may affect their application.
- Is It Permissible to Shake Hands with the Opposite Gender? — Discusses the rulings and etiquette of handshaking in Islamic law.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
