Is it not correct to give or reply to Salam before one has done Wudhu or Tayammum?

Ques: In other post, you wrote,

وعن أبي الجهيم بن الحارث بن الصمة قال : مررت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يبول فسلمت عليه فلم يرد علي حتى قام إلى جدار فحته بعصى كانت معه ثم وضع يديه على الجدار فمسح وجهه وذراعيه ثم رد علي

This is the famous incident, in which Sahabi Abu Juhaim (RaD) greeted Nabi (S.A.W) when He just came out of the toilet. So He didn’t reply him until He did tayammum.

So, when one is just coming out of the toilet it is not correct to give or reply to Salam before one has done Wudhu or Tayammum etc.? I would like to have details on this.

Ans:
Salam. The hadith interpreters talk on this hadith as follows:

1. In other narrations of the hadith, we see the Prophet mentioned the following reason:

الا أني كرهت أن أذكر الله إلا على طهارة


Because I disliked to mention Allah in the state of impurity.

Salam contains Allah’s name, so the Prophet disliked to mention His name in the state of impurity.

2. This command was earlier, later it has been cancelled. (Mansukh)

And for canceller (Nasikh), they mention several evidences. Two of them as follows:

A. It is Mansukh by a hadith narrated by Ayesha

كان يذكر الله على كل أحيانه

That the Prophet (SAW) used to remember Allah in every situation. (in case of purrity and impurity.)

B. Narrated by Gafrah , he says: When Prophet used to go for toilet, we talked but he did not reply. We greeted Him, but he did not reply. Until the ayah of permission has been revealed.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

O you who believe! when you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; (5:6)

As this ayah commands to perform wadhu only when someone needs to pray, not for greetings. [See Umdatul Qari]

So, in conclusion we can say:

1. It was specific to the Prophet . OR
2. It was an early command, which was later cancelled. (Mansukh)

Anyhow, there is no prohibition now to convey salam in case of impurity.

And Allah knows best.

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Answered by Yousuf
Sunniforum, 28 Apr ’09