Asalaamu alaikum -
I have a question regarding using the left hand. Yes I know that it is for hygiene so please let's not have 10 responses quoting daleel on that.
My question is more specific:
For example, if I'm eating a large sandwich (like from Subway) MUST I only use one hand to hold it? Its a big sandwich. Also, if I'm at a buffet at the masjid, am I allowed to carry my plate with one hand and my drink with the other, or must I make two trips?
If I'm eating finger food (say, dates or tea sandwiches) with my right hand and I go to take a sip of my tea/coffee, do I need to go and rinse off my right hand so I can grab the cup and not get it sticky or can I take a sip using my left hand seeing that my right is occupied?
I've been reprimanded at least twice by other Muslims who see me do something with my left hand that they felt was improper when I felt it was just plain common sense (once was the instance above, I had sticky date residue on my right hand but needed to rinse my mouth out with the tea so I grabbed it with my left...). Recently at the masjid Brother "A" asked Brother "B" to pass him some baklava that was on the the table on B's left hand side. As he couldn't reach it with his right hand, he stretched with his left, grabbed a piece, transfered it to his right and handed it over to Brother "A" only to be reprimanded for touching food with his left hand. The only other way B could've gotten it was to get up and walk to the plate...in which case A could've done the same thing & got it himself .
I am a 2 handed eater. When I have a plate in front of me and what I am eating requires me to cut it, I hold the fork in my left hand as I cut with my right. I do not transfer my fork back to my right hand with every bite, then back to cut, then back to bite, etc, as that's a phenomenal waste of time. The way I look at it is my hand is not touching the food, the utensil is.
Anyway thank you for your replies....
D.
I have a question regarding using the left hand. Yes I know that it is for hygiene so please let's not have 10 responses quoting daleel on that.
My question is more specific:
For example, if I'm eating a large sandwich (like from Subway) MUST I only use one hand to hold it? Its a big sandwich. Also, if I'm at a buffet at the masjid, am I allowed to carry my plate with one hand and my drink with the other, or must I make two trips?
If I'm eating finger food (say, dates or tea sandwiches) with my right hand and I go to take a sip of my tea/coffee, do I need to go and rinse off my right hand so I can grab the cup and not get it sticky or can I take a sip using my left hand seeing that my right is occupied?
I've been reprimanded at least twice by other Muslims who see me do something with my left hand that they felt was improper when I felt it was just plain common sense (once was the instance above, I had sticky date residue on my right hand but needed to rinse my mouth out with the tea so I grabbed it with my left...). Recently at the masjid Brother "A" asked Brother "B" to pass him some baklava that was on the the table on B's left hand side. As he couldn't reach it with his right hand, he stretched with his left, grabbed a piece, transfered it to his right and handed it over to Brother "A" only to be reprimanded for touching food with his left hand. The only other way B could've gotten it was to get up and walk to the plate...in which case A could've done the same thing & got it himself .
I am a 2 handed eater. When I have a plate in front of me and what I am eating requires me to cut it, I hold the fork in my left hand as I cut with my right. I do not transfer my fork back to my right hand with every bite, then back to cut, then back to bite, etc, as that's a phenomenal waste of time. The way I look at it is my hand is not touching the food, the utensil is.
Anyway thank you for your replies....
D.