Commentary on the Hadith Concerning sitting with a Junub or Physically Impure

Praise be to Allah,

 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he met the Prophet (peace be upon him) in one of the Streets of Al – Madinah when he was Junub (sexually impure). He slipped away and went to perform Ghusl (Islaamic Bath), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) noticed he was gone. When he came to him, he said, “Where were you, O Aboo Hurayrah?” He said, “O Messenger of Allaah, you met me when I was Junub, and I did not like to sit with you until I had performed Ghusl.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said,

“Subhan’Allaah (Glorious is Allaah)! The believer does not become Najas (impure).”[i]

 

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. That al-Janaabah (the state of major sexual impurity) does not make the body najas (physically unclean) [such that if someone touches you while in the state of Janaabah you will then become unclean also]. Note: The state of impurity here means that one cannot perform Salaat in this condition. The one in a state of Janaabah is unfit for the performance of worship. However, it does not mean that someone who touches you will become defiled from merely touching you.

 

2. The human being is not to be considered najas (impure), whether dead or alive. This does not mean that the body cannot be affected by impurities. If some impure matter [such as urine or feces] soils the body, the place which has been touched by the impure matter becomes unclean (until the impurity is washed away).

 

3. The permissibility of delaying the performance of Ghusl (complete bath) is taken when one is in a state of Janaabah (the state of major sexual impurity).

 

4. The high regard and respect due to the People of Virtue, Knowledge and High Character; and that one should be in the best possible condition or appearance (inwardly and outwardly) when in their company and meeting places.

 

5. The legislation of seeking permission from the one in authority when one desires to get up and leave a gathering or meeting. This is known from the fact that the Prophet (PBUH) criticized Aboo Hurayrah (R.A) for leaving his presence without letting him know. This is because al-Isti’dhan (seeking permission) is an aspect of good behavior.

 

6. The Prophet’s concern for his companions and checking on them.

 

7. Saying Subhan Allah when taken by surprise.

 

8. The permissibility of sitting with someone who is in a state of janabaah.

 

Allah Knows Best

 

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page  80-81

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 62

 

 

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 5, Hadeeth Number 283, p. 202,; Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 3, Hadeeth Number 824, p. 478; Sunan Aboo Daawood, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 231, p. 149, Classed as Saheeh by Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr „Alee Za‟i; Sunan an – Nasaa’ee, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 270, p. 171, Classed as Saheeh by Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr „Alee Za‟i; and a similar the version in Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 5, Hadeeth Number 285, p. 203; Jaami’ at – Tirmithee, Volume 1, Book 1, Hadeeth Number 121, p. 143 – 144, Classed as Saheeh by Haafiz Aboo Taahir Zubayr„Alee Za‟ i