Leaning on the left leg and moving some distance away in an open place, …

His statement, “Leaning on the left leg,” means that it is recommended for a person relieving himself to rest his weight on his left leg. The scholars of the school cited as evidence for this that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “instructed his Companions to lean on the left leg and keep the right upright” (1). However, this hadith is weak.

They gave two reasons for this (2):

The first is that it facilitates the exit of waste. This is a matter to be referred to physicians; if it is medically established, then it falls under the heading of safeguarding one’s health.

The second is that leaning on the left rather than the right is a way of honoring the right side. This is an evident rationale. Yet it entails a degree of difficulty when the right leg is kept upright and one leans on the left—especially if the person relieving himself is corpulent, elderly, or physically weak, for he will find it tiring to lean on the left and to keep the right upright.

Therefore, if someone were to say: Since there is no established sunnah from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding this matter, it is preferable and easier for a person to remain in his natural posture, resting his weight on both legs.

His statement, “Moving some distance away in an open place”: the pronoun refers to the person relieving himself. What is meant is that he should move far enough away that his body cannot be seen. This applies when he is in