Returning a salam while drying after istinja

Question

Zayd, after urinating or after relieving himself, was drying himself with a clod of earth; in this state ‘Amr greeted him with salam. May Zayd return the salam or not? (2) The hadith prohibits salam and conversation in the state of istinja (cleansing after relieving oneself) — which state and which time is meant by this? (3) ‘Amr says that in “Fatawa Rashidiyya” returning a salam while drying with a clod of earth is declared permissible. Is ‘Amr correct?

Answer

(1) If drops are not coming out and he is drying only as a precaution, he should reply; otherwise not. (2) When he is occupied with relieving himself. (3) What is meant by the gist of “Fatawa Rashidiyya” is the first case of the answer, i.e. when he is drying only as a precaution: [ar]سلامك مكروه… إلى قوله: ومن هو في حال التغوط أشنع.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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