Nasai

1360. Commentary: The purpose of the chapter appears to be to clarify, after completing the prayer, from which side one should turn when going home—should it be from the right or the left? Clearly, one may get up and go in whichever direction there is a need, but giving preference to the right side is a good practice. After that, one may proceed in whichever direction one wishes; however, one should not consider the right side to be obligatory. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to sit facing the congregation after the prayer. In this way, his house would be on the right side, so he would generally get up and leave from the right side. Sometimes, when he did not intend to go home, he would get up from the other side as well. If he was sitting facing the qiblah, then his house would be on the left side. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radi Allahu anhu) considered it disliked to make getting up from the right side obligatory. The purpose of the chapter could also be to clarify from which side the imam should turn towards the congregation after the prayer. He may turn from either side, but the right side is superior, because the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) preferred the right side in all matters. The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) would deliberately stand on the right side so that the blessed face of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would first turn towards them. And Allah knows best.