When the Prophet (peace be upon him) met any of his companions in the street, he would pat him on the back or shoulder, walk with him for some distance, or sit with him and inquire after him. He would thus make him feel that he is close to him. Indeed, the Prophet cared for every one of his companions, making them all feel that they were his close personal friends. If there was anything special about any such meeting, they would report it and thus we learn from them the Prophet’s guidance on such detailed matters.
One such incidence is reported by Abu Hurayrah, who says: “I met the Prophet in some street in Madinah when I was in the state of ceremonial impurity. I, therefore, turned into some alleyway so that he would not see me. I went away, took a bath and came back. The Prophet asked me: ‘Where have you been, Abu Hurayrah?’ I said: ‘I was in the state of ceremonial impurity, and I did not like to sit with you when I was in that state.’ He said: ‘All glory belongs to God. A Muslim is never impure.’” (Related by Al-Bukhari).
The state of ceremonial impurity, or janabah, is caused when one has ejaculated as a result of sexual desire, whether through intercourse, masturbation or a wet dream. For a woman, she is in that state as a result of intercourse or when she is in her period. This state is removed when one has taken a bath or a shower, washing his head and body. During this state, one cannot offer prayers, but can praise and glorify God, appeal to Him or pray for mercy, forgiveness or anything else.
This occasion mentioned by Abu Hurayrah is special because he felt he could not talk to the Prophet, shake hands with him or allow him to touch him. Therefore, he turned away from him. However, the Prophet saw him. As his behavior was unusual, since all Muslims were always happy to meet the Prophet at any time, hoping that he would pray for them, the Prophet wanted to know why he did that. However, his question was phrased in a way that would cause Abu Hurayrah no embarrassment. He asked him where he was, not why he turned away.
It should be made clear that Abu Hurayrah’s behavior on this occasion was not wrong. On the contrary, it was a gesture of good manners. He held the Prophet in very high esteem and so he disliked that the Prophet should sit or walk with him before he could take a bath. Hence, he rushed home for a quick bath and came back. The Prophet, on the other hand, wanted to make clear that there is nothing wrong with social contact when people are in the state of ceremonial impurity, or janabah. He told Abu Hurayrah that “a Muslim is never impure.” Indeed, this is true. A person who believes in God is never impure, whether alive or dead. It should be added that an unbeliever’s impurity is abstract, not physical. Therefore, normal contact with them is perfectly appropriate.