The Shoes of The Prophet Muhammad SAW - Part 2 of 2

HADITH 6

Amr bin Hurayth RA reports:

"I saw Rasulullah SAW perform Solah with such shoes that had another leather sole sewn onto them."

COMMENTARY

The above Hadith is actually explaining that the sole of the shoes of the Prophet Muhammad SAW was double. In other words, it had two layers of leather. It may also mean that because the shoe was tearing apart or beginning to wear off, a patch was sewn onto it.


HADITH 7

Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

"One should not wear one shoe and walk. Both shoes should be worn or both shoes should be removed."


COMMENTARY

This particular Hadith is included in discussion to amplify the fact that it was never the practice what more habit of the Prophet Muhammad SAW to wear one shoe only whilst leaving the other foot bare. Such was the Akhlaq of Rasulullah SAW that whenever he (SAW) prohibited others to do a certain thing, then he (SAW) would not practice it himself (SAW).

Nonetheless, apparently the prohibition in the above Hadith is for doing so habitually. However if a single shoe is worn for a little while because the other one is torn or because of some difficulty, then there is no harm. Arising from the above Hadith also is that the Ulama have added that, in the same manner only one Khuff (leather sock) or one sleeve should not be worn. Both should be worn as is done commonly. One should keep away from cheap formalities, fashions and rudeness.


HADITH 8

Jaabir RA says: (mafhum)

"Rasulullah SAW prohibited eating with the left hand, or the wearing of one shoe only."


COMMENTARY

According to the majority of the Ulama, the fulfillment of these commands are meritorious, that means it is not Haraam. Some Ulama have stated that it is prohibited to act contrary to this. Whatever it may be, it is always best to follow the path of piety and adhere to what is best. It is unbecoming for a person who wants to obtain the Shafa'at of Rasulullah SAW, but is not so eager to follow his (SAW) ways.


HADITH 9

Abu Hurairah RA says that RasulullahSAW said:

"Whenever one amongst you puts on his shoes, he should begin with the right, and when he removes his shoes the left one should be removed first. The right should be first when putting on and last when removing the shoes."


COMMENTARY

The shoe being an ornament for the feet, should be long on the feet, as has been mentioned earlier. In the same manner all those things, the wearing of which are ornaments, when wearing them, the right should be first, and when removing them, the left first, like the wearing of the shirt, trousers, jubbah and so forth.


HADITH 10

A'ishah RA narrates:

"Rasulullah SAW while combing his hair; wearing his shoes; and while washing his limbs during Wudhu, as far as possible began with his right."


COMMENTARY

This is not confined to the above three actions only, but covers all other acts as stated previously. The saying - "as far as possible" - means that if for some unforeseen reason a person begins from the left, then there is no harm.


HADITH 11

Abu Hurayrah RA says: (mafhum)

"The shoes of Rasulullah SAW had two straps. In the same manner the shoes of Abu Bakr (RA)and Umar (RA) had two straps on them. Uthman (RA) began the use of one strap."


COMMENTARY

The Ulama have explained that the reason why Saiyidina Uthman RA adopted the use of one strap was so that the Muslims at that time did not assumed that the use of two straps are strictly necessary.