I want reference of a Hadith in which it is stated that the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) used to conceal themselves if they were in state of impurity (janabah) from beloved Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wassallam).
Answer
1. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that once Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) met him on a road in Madinah Munawwarah whilst Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah was in the state of Janabah (in need of an obligatory bath).
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says; ‘I slipped/sneaked away from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and went to take a bath…
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) explained that he didn’t want to meet Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in the state of impurity (janabah).
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 283 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 822)
2. Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) met him whilst Sayyiduna Hudhayfah was in the state of Janabah (in need of an obligatory bath). Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) averted Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and went to take a bath…
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 823)
In a narration of Sahih Ibn Hibban, Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions one reason for doing so;
He says: ‘Whenever Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) met any of his companions, he would pass his hand over him and make du’a for him…
…I feared that he (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) might touch me in that condition’
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al-Ihsan, Hadith: 1258)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar