Putting on Footwear: Islamic Etiquette and Sunnah
TAQWA | TOWERING IMAM | IT ALL BEGINS IN THE HEART| TAQWA SSHW For a Muslim, the reminders in the Daily Prayers on how to treat others extend to even simple things we do in our lives. For instance, this is a daily occurrence of putting on shoes and sandals, but the Sunnah sheds lights on how it should be done. It is recommended to start with the right side and to not walk with one sandal.
Starting with the Right Side
When a Muslim wears a shoe or sandal, starting with the right is a simple sunnah that can be incorporated into a daily habit.
There are memories that can be made to be easily retained, like right foot first when putting on our shoes. Parents can instruct children at this time to training them how to put on their shoes, and other similar acts. Minor Sunnah practices begin to teach children Islamic etiquette in everyday living.
How to Put On Footwear
Putting on your Shoes in the way of Sunnah It is very easy, take care of seating yourself in a safe position. Put on the right shoe first, then the left shoe. 15. Putting on your Shoes Safely Take care of sitting yourself in a safe position.
Removing Footwear from the Left Side
2) Removing shoes. As the whole procedure of putting on shoes begins with the right side, the etiquette in Islam is that shoes are taken off from the left side. Generally speaking, it's recommended to give precedence to the right side for honorable acts and the left side for taking off.
Therefore, a simple routine is:
1. Wear your right shoe or sandal before your left.
2. Wear the left shoe or sandal last.
3. When taking them out, start with the left.
4. Take off the right shoe after the left.
Having a set time for it makes remembering this Sunnah simpler.
Do Not Walk With One Sandal
A further matter that should be known as regards walking without sandals/socks Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:
"Let none of you walk about in a single sandal; he should either remove them both or put them both on."Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5856.
You'll just have to walk like this (one sandal missing) The permissibility and the preference of leaving one sandal off on one foot have been discussed before. In case a sandal comes off from one foot, wear the one back on or just discard the other one.
Teaching Children Islamic Footwear Etiquette
Sunnah for children and parents To help your children learn about this Sunnah, you could link it to their daily routine. When your child leaves home, just before they leave say to them "Right foot first". And when they return home and remove their shoes, say "left".
Make the habit stick with a short reminder:
"Right foot to wear, left foot to remove. Don't walk alone with a single sandal."
If practiced regularly, this etiquette can become a natural instinct to children.
Why These Small Sunnah Habits Matter
Not just big acts of worship – Islamic manners are a chance to act upon the Sunnah even in our daily life. How we put on our shoes, get dressed, eat, sleep and keep ourselves clean; all of these can be done while considering the Sunnah.
Adopting these manners will keep Muslims aware of their actions and enable them to develop a habit of practicing the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It just takes one small act to become second nature with the Sunnah.
A Simple Daily Reminder
Before going out, check your shoes and recall the sunnah. Wear the right shoe first then the left. To take your shoes off, start with your left.
Do not walk with only one shoe.
All of these can be done in seconds so it is easy for Muslims to do with children during every day routines. Keeping Islam's rules simple is essential so that everyone can adhere to it.
Conclusion
Wearing footwear might be a simple everyday habit, but in Islamic Manners there exists a very simple Sunnah related to wearing footwear.
Aisha (RA) said that the Noble Messenger (Peace & Salutations of Allah be upon him) liked beginning with the right side when wearing footwear. Another narration in Sunan Abi Dawood is narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA) warning from walking with a single sandal.
A Muslim may teach them to his children by using them in their daily lives- wear the right shoe first, take the shoe off with the left foot first and don't walk around with one shoe on.
These habits are easy and consistently practicing them will link us to the Sunnah in our everyday life and will raise our children to follow Islamic etiquette.