The Sunnah Regarding Placing the Rida' on the Shoulders of the One in Ihram

Question : The questioner says: I entered the state of ihram and placed the rida' on both of my shoulders. Is there anything required of me or not?

Answer : On my shoulders. His saying "on my shoulders" in the dual form means that he is asking, saying that he entered the state of ihram and placed the rida' on both of his shoulders, and did not expose his right shoulder. Is there anything required of him?
We say: There is nothing required of you, because exposing the right shoulder is not obligatory; rather, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). However, it is a recommended practice in only part of the rites, not in all of the rites. When is it?
It is a recommended practice only in the arrival tawaf, meaning in the tawaf when you first arrive in Makkah, whether for 'Umrah or Hajj. So when you arrive in Makkah, you expose your right shoulder only during the tawaf.
As for the practice of the ignorant among the pilgrims today, and they are many, you will find that they have exposed their shoulders during the tawaf, during the sa'y, and before they perform the tawaf, and from the time they enter the state of ihram. This is an error. This is not from the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) only commanded his Companions, or he himself performed the 'idti'ab (exposing the right shoulder) only during the tawaf. The wisdom behind this is that the 'idti'ab helps the one performing tawaf to perform the ramal (brisk walking), and it serves as a sign of strength and vigor. As for the sa'y, there is no 'idti'ab in it. This means that in the sa'y, you do not expose your right shoulder from the time you finish the tawaf and before you pray the two rak'ahs. You wear the rida' and cover both shoulders. This is the Sunnah.