Are there conditions regarding the structure of the surrounding walls for placing a beam?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Settlement
Primary text
The condition stipulated by Al-Qadi and Abu Al-Khattab, requiring the user to have three walls and the neighbor only one, is not explicitly stated by Ahmad. Ahmad's narration to Abu Dawud only required that there be no harm and that the wall remains sound. This is because roofing might be impossible over two non-opposing walls, or if the space is wide, requiring a joist to be placed first upon which the wood is laid.
Supporting text
The preferable criterion for judgment remains the necessity of roofing without the beam. There is no distinction made between an adult, an orphan, an insane person, or a sane person regarding these rulings.