LessonsThis world, purification, giving, and responsibility (Hadith 12–17)Quiz

الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى
Translation: The upper hand is better than the lower hand.

Source: البخاري ومسلم

ExpressionMeaning
الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَاthe upper hand, meaning the giving hand
خَيْرٌbetter
مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَىthan the lower, asking hand

Brief grammar: الْيَدُ is the subject and الْعُلْيَا describes it; خَيْرٌ is the predicate. In خَيْرٌ مِنْ, مِنْ marks a comparison, hence “better than.” The hands are described according to the action of giving or asking, not merely their physical height.

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Hadith 14 — The merit of the giving hand

This world, purification, giving, and responsibility (Hadith 12–17)

الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى
Translation: The upper hand is better than the lower hand.

Source: البخاري ومسلم

ExpressionMeaning
الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَاthe upper hand, meaning the giving hand
خَيْرٌbetter
مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَىthan the lower, asking hand

Brief grammar: الْيَدُ is the subject and الْعُلْيَا describes it; خَيْرٌ is the predicate. In خَيْرٌ مِنْ, مِنْ marks a comparison, hence “better than.” The hands are described according to the action of giving or asking, not merely their physical height.