such as ablution, bathing, dry ablution, wearing clothes and shoes, entering the mosque, using the tooth-stick, applying kohl, clipping the nails, trimming the mustache, plucking the armpit hair, shaving the head, making Taslīm in prayer, eating and drinking, shaking hands, touching the Black Stone, leaving the toilet, and taking and giving.
On the other hand, it is recommended to begin with the left side in the things opposite to these (i.e. not regarded as honorable), like blowing the nose and spitting to one’s left, entering the toilet, leaving the mosque, taking off clothes and shoes, cleaning after relieving oneself, and doing anything deemed unclean.
Allah Almighty says: {As for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say: “Here, read my record!} [Al-Hāqqah: 19]
He also says: {The companions of the right - what are the companions of the right? And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?} [Al-Wāqi‘ah: 8-9]
1) The people of the right are those who possess constant virtues in this world and in the Hereafter.
2) Those who are good-doers and righteous in the life of this world will be among the people of the right on the Day of Judgment.
1/721 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) loved to begin with the right side in all his affairs: in his purification, when combing his hair, and when putting on his shoes.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
722/2 - She also reported: “The Messenger’s right hand was for his purification and eating, and his left hand was for cleansing after relieving himself and (handling) repulsive things.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and others with an authentic Isnād]
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1) It is recommended to begin with the right in every good thing. This includes the body parts during ablution, bathing, hair combing or cutting, and putting on shoes.
2) The left hand should be used in things involving no honor, like removing filth.
The right side is a position of honor, and so it should be kept away from anything deemed dirty. The left hand should be used for dirty things, and the right hand is for all else. This is a sign of the Shariah’s care to organize the life affairs of the believers, which indicates the perfection of this religion.
723/3 - Um ‘Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to the women who were washing the body of his deceased daughter Zaynab: “Start with her right side and with the parts of the body that are washed in ablution.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) A dead woman can only be washed by her husband or other women, and it is impermissible for men to wash her.
2) The Sunnah with regard to washing a dead person is to start with the right side and the body parts included in ablution, as they are more honorable than the rest of the body.
724/4 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When any of you is putting on his shoes, let him start with the right foot; and when he is taking them off, let him start with the left foot. Let the right foot be the first when putting on the shoes and the last when taking them off.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
725/5 - Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would use his right hand for eating, drinking, and wearing his clothes, and would use his left hand for other purposes. [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, Al-Tirmidhi, and others]
726/6 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When you put on clothes and when you perform ablution, begin with your right side.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Al-Tirmidhi with an authentic Isnād]
1) It is recommended to start with the right foot when putting on shoes and with the left foot when taking them off. This indicates that honor is afforded to the right.
2) It is recommended to start with the right side and use the right hand in ablution, eating, drinking, and wearing clothes, and to use the left hand in removing dirt and taking off clothes or shoes.
727/7 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) came to Mina; he went to the Jamrah and threw pebbles at it, after which he went to his lodging in Mina and sacrificed the animal. He then said to the barber ‘shave’, pointing to his right side, and then his left side. He then gave it (his hair) to the people. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version: After he had thrown the pebbles and sacrificed the animal, he had his hair shaved. He turned his right side to the barber so he shaved it. Then, he called for Abu Talhah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) and gave it (the hair) to him. Then, he turned his left side to the barber and said: “Shave it”. The barber shaved it, and he gave the hair to Abu Talhah, saying: “Distribute it among the people.”
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1) It is a recommended Sunnah to begin with the right side when shaving or cutting one’s hair.
2) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to seek blessing in the Prophet’s hair, clothes, and sweat. This does not apply to anyone else, even if it be a pious person. It is limited to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), to whom no other person can be compared.
3) Sometimes Allah Almighty bestows some advantage upon someone in particular. For example, Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) was given the whole right side of the Prophet’s hair, though there were other Companions more meritorious than him. But this is the favor of Allah and He gives it to whomever He wills.
4) If a person intends to follow, revive, and revere the Sunnah by starting with the right in honorable things and with the left in unpleasant matters, he will get a great reward for that.