Fiqh of Feet: Mosques, Toilets, and the Principle

Question: Which foot exactly do we enter the Masjid with and what do we say?

Imam Nawawi mentions that it is mustahab to enter the masjid with right foot and come out with the left.

It has been narrated by Abu Humaid and Abu Usaid (Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘When one of you enters the Masjid, he should send salat on the Prophet, then say, ‘Allahummaftahli abwab aa hmatik, and when coming out, one should say, AllahummaIni As’aluka min fadh lik.’

(Muslim,Abu Dawud,Ibn Maja)

It has been narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr ibn Aas (Allah be pleased with them both) from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that when he use to enter the Masjid he use to say, ‘A’udhubilla hil’adhim wa biwajhihi’l-karim wa sultanihil-qadim minash’shatanir rajim.’ When one says this, the devil says, ‘he has been protected from me all day.’

(Abu Dawud)

(Imam Nawawi,Al-Adhkar al-Muntakhaba pg 46)

What foot do we enter the toilet/bathroom with and what do we say?

 It is mentioned in Bukhariand Muslim from Anas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) use to say on entering the khala (place of emptiness, openness) toilet, ‘Allahummaini A’udhu bika minal khbuthi wal khaba’ith.’

The scholars say it is mustahab to start with right in all those things of reverence, such as wudhu, bathing, wearing clothes, shoes, socks, trousers, when entering the mosque, when performing miswak, applying antimony, trimming the nails, plucking hair from the armpits, when, shaving the head…

It is mustahab to start from the left when performing those actions which are to the contrary, i.e. not revered, such as blowing the nose, performing istinja, when entering the lavatory or departing from the mosque, removing the khufayn, shoes, trousers or other garments. (Al-Binaya1/188)

(Imam Nawawi, Al-Adhkar al-Muntakhaba pg 46)Pg36