Why do Muslims only use their right hand when preparing food?

Question

I am doing a teacher assistant cource and one of the questions ask why do muslims use only their right hand when preparing food

Answer 1

I've read that this is because Mohammed was right handed and that it is suggested (a sunnah) but not mandatory. The answer below from an Islamic site might interest you.

Aloha

Answer 2

We all use right hand for preparing food. Like making a dough unless you are left handed. The left hand use for after using the toilet. But every knows we have to wash that hand well. But when you are cutting vegetables or meat we do have to use both hands.So not only Muslims others also do the same.

Answer 3

You should learn how to spell properly if you want to become a teaching assistant! "cource" is spelt "course". Muslims use their left hands for cleaning themselves after using the toilet, so therefore the right hand is used for food preparation.

Answer 4

Not only Muslims use their right hand when preparing /giving food. All Asians do it also ,it,s to do with hygiene. They use their left hand for cleaning themselves after their toilet, they think using paper is not clean and wash themselves after they have finished. But only using their left hand, never take anything from a muslim or asian if they offer you something with the left hand.

Answer 5

I haven't learned much of Islamic tradition from a reliable source BUT my smart old dad once told me it was because, since ancient times, that's the way to prevent disease. Those big ol' deserts STILL don't have faucets, so hygiene was/is largely a matter of prevention. One hand for wiping your poo, the other for food to the mouth, smart, eh?
People everywhere find comfort in traditions long after the original practicality may have ceased.

Answer 6

Yes - they use their left hand to clean themselves after the toilet and right hand for preparing and eating food. Must have stemmed from areas where water was scarce, but this is a true fact.

Answer 7

And eating it by the way. Being as you are going to be a teaching assistant you may as well learn how to put a veil on too. With all the latest furore it wouldn't be surprising if the government made it mandatory for teaching assistants to wear them.

Answer 8

Yes,i am a Muslim,and you are right in saying that we use our right hands for cooking and other stuff.But we use our left hand only for toilet purposes.And it is a sunnah,that our Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H) used to do every work with his right hand,except when going to the toilet.Hope you are cleared!

Answer 9

The left hand is used for unpleasant activities, like going to the bathroom, etc. Therefore, that hand is unclean. You shouldn't shake hands with the left hand, eat, touch anyone, stuff like that.

Answer 10

people have 2 hands its a bit silly not to use both and to just use one for the toilette is crazy and gross hope they wash both before preparing food right or left