Sahl b. Sa'd told that the Prophet was brought a cup from which he drank, and on his right was a youth who was the youngest present, while the old men were on his left. He asked the youth to permit him to give it to the old men, but he replied, “I am not one to give anyone preference in a favour from you, messenger of God.” So he gave it to him.
Anas told that a domestic sheep was milked for God’s messenger and its milk was mixed with water from a well in Anas’s house. God’s messenger was then given a cup and drank, Abu Bakr being on his left and a nomadic Arab on his right. ‘Umar asked God’s messenger to give it to Abu Bakr, but he gave it to the nomadic Arab who was on his right saying, “He who is on the right, then he who is on his right.” A version has, “Those on the right, then those on their right; go to the right.”*
*This tradition indicates that people should band a drink to the one on their right irrespective of the relative importance of the people present. The tradition immediately following brings this out clearly.
