Is the command in matters of etiquette always for recommendation?
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The questioner : Shaykh!
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Some scholars state a rule: everything that falls under the category of etiquette is for recommendation, until evidence establishes its obligation, whereas everything that falls under the category of worship is for obligation, until evidence establishes its recommendation. You know, this is actually a rule that relieves a person from many issues where obligation is not apparent. For example: starting with the right when putting on clothing, and starting with the left when taking it off. There is a command regarding this. Do we say: he must start with the right when putting on clothing and with the left when taking it off?
The soul finds great comfort in this rule, that what falls under the category of etiquette is for recommendation, and what falls under the category of worship is for obligation.
And this is provided there is no indication that shifts the worshipful command to recommendation, or an indication that shifts the etiquette-based command to obligation.
The questioner : A hadith... The words of the Prophet did not explicitly state that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He said," meaning he said: "And a man from his Companions (peace and blessings be upon him) said."
The Shaykh : Yes, it appears that there is an omission
The questioner : from the words of the Prophet?
The Shaykh : From the words of the Prophet, yes.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Some scholars state a rule: everything that falls under the category of etiquette is for recommendation, until evidence establishes its obligation, whereas everything that falls under the category of worship is for obligation, until evidence establishes its recommendation. You know, this is actually a rule that relieves a person from many issues where obligation is not apparent. For example: starting with the right when putting on clothing, and starting with the left when taking it off. There is a command regarding this. Do we say: he must start with the right when putting on clothing and with the left when taking it off?
The soul finds great comfort in this rule, that what falls under the category of etiquette is for recommendation, and what falls under the category of worship is for obligation.
And this is provided there is no indication that shifts the worshipful command to recommendation, or an indication that shifts the etiquette-based command to obligation.
The questioner : A hadith... The words of the Prophet did not explicitly state that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He said," meaning he said: "And a man from his Companions (peace and blessings be upon him) said."
The Shaykh : Yes, it appears that there is an omission
The questioner : from the words of the Prophet?
The Shaykh : From the words of the Prophet, yes.