Replying to salam while drying after istinja with a clod

Question

If someone gives salam while one is drying after istinja with a clod, may one reply or not?

Answer

Concerning the reply of one who, after urinating, is drying after istinja with a clod, if someone greets him with salam, two views are quoted in “Ma‘arif al-Sunan”: in one there is permission, in the other prohibition. The way to reconcile them is this: at the time drops are coming, he should not reply; and when the clod is held merely as a precaution, he should reply.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.