RIGHT FOOT ON THE IMAAMAT MUSALLA

It is not a condition for the Imam to place his right foot first on the Musalla, rather it is Mustahab, therefore, it is better to give consideration to it and there is no sin in acting contrary to it. The Fuqaha (Jurists) and Muhadditheen have mentioned a rule regarding the standard norm of the Shariah which is attributed to actions of right and left in the light of the Ahadith, as it is stated in Umdatul Qaari Sharhe Bukhari Volume 3 page number 47/ Chapter of Wudhu:

And the words of Allamah Nawawee in this regard are mentioned in Nuzhatul Qaari as follows: For those actions which are from exaltation and reverence, it is desirable and Mustahab in them to start it from the right, such as wearing clothes, entering the Masjid, brushing one's teeth, applying Kohl (collyrium), cutting one's nails, combing one's hair, etc. And it is Mustahab to start from the left in those actions which are not from exaltation and reverence, such as going to the toilet, coming out of the Masjid and taking off one's clothes, etc. (Nuzhatul Qaari Volume 1 page number 512 / Chapter of Wudhu) Huzoor Ala-Hazrat Alaihir Rahma says as follows in his Malfoozaat Shareef regarding the etiquette of entering the Masjid: At the time of entering the Masjid from one level to another level, one should put his right foot forward first, even if there is a row before it, he should put his right foot first on it, and when he leaves, then too he should place his right foot first on the floor of the Masjid. (Malfoozaat e AlaHazrat page number 318).

It is in Hayaat e Ala-Hazrat regarding Ala-Hazrat's routines and practices that: Sayyid Ayoob Ali Saaheb mentions that once Ala-Hazrat Alaihir Rahma arrived for Fajr Salaah later than usual. All those waiting to perform Namaaz had their eyes focused towards the door, waiting for his arrival. Sayyidi Ala-Hazrat Alaihir Rahma arrived hurriedly. As he was about to enter, my brother Qina’at Ali said to me, Hazrat is coming in very hurriedly, and there is very little time remaining. Let’s see if Hazrat enters the Masjid with his right foot even though he is in such a hurry. What happened next was nothing short of amazing. As Sayyidi Ala- Hazrat Alaihir Rahma was about to enter, even though in a hurry and he was walking very swiftly, he placed his right foot on the first stair, as he reached the stairs of the Masjid, We then noticed that as he proceeded towards the flat area after the stairs, he placed his right foot first, then as he entered the Sahan i.e. the outer area of the Masjid, he placed his right foot first, and as he entered the Masjid area, he placed his right foot first. Just after the Sahan, a Saff (line) was prepared, even on that he placed his right foot first, and as he walked towards the front of the Masjid, in every Saff he placed his right foot first, and finally when he reached the Mehraab and stepped on the Musallah of Imaamat, he placed his right foot on it first. (Hayaat e Ala-Hazrat Volume 1 page number 144).

In short, regarding this matter which has been asked in the above question, it is Mustahab that the Imam should first place his right foot on the Musalla, and if he puts his left foot on the Musalla first instead of the right foot, it is also not something which is sinful. However no Imam and righteous leader of Islam should intentionally do anything in front of the Musallees or the laymen, which is contrary to that which is favoured (preferred).