Are the "upper hand" and the "white hand" the same thing? And what is the meaning of the phrase "you have the white hand"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The preponderant interpretation of the is that the upper hand is the one that spends, and the lower hand is the one that begs. This is supported by what is stated in Muslim: "The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and the upper hand is the one that spends, and the lower hand is the one that begs." The term "white hand" refers to a favor and kindness free from reproach or harm. So, your colleague's statement, "You have a white hand over him," means that you have done him a favor.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/84779
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 84779
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy