Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: This hadith establishes that one should adopt protective measures and avoid serious diseases, and that apparent causes should not be completely disregarded, even though they are not absolute and certain. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself ate with a leper and said: "Eat with trust and reliance upon Allah." And Aisha (radi Allahu anha) narrates that this was a freed slave who used to eat from my plate, drink from my cup, and sleep on my bed. Or, you (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) kept the leper at a distance as a precaution to protect those with weak faith from falling into incorrect beliefs.

(1) The relevance of the hadith to the chapter is established in this way: taking the pledge of allegiance (bay‘ah) from a person afflicted with leprosy (majdhūm) is permissible; however, it is also possible to take the pledge from such a person verbally only.

(2) This hadith also shows that it is permissible to keep a distance from a person suffering from a dangerous disease. However, it is not correct to completely ignore such a person or to leave him entirely at the mercy of circumstances. He should be provided with treatment. As needed, one may interact with him and assist him.

(3) By “afflicted person” is meant one who is suffering from an extremely repulsive disease, such that people have great aversion to him, and there is a risk of others being affected—for example, leprosy (jadhām, i.e., leprosy). This is an extremely repulsive and frightening disease. Naturally, everyone tries to avoid it. The infectious material of this disease remains present on the patient’s body at all times. By coming close, another person may contract it, and thus there is a risk of being affected. For this reason, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade such a person from coming into gatherings. Such a patient himself should also, as much as possible, avoid attending gatherings. May Allah protect from this disease.

(4) “The pledge has been accepted,” because the real consideration is the commitment of the heart. The tongue and hand are only for emphasis; they are not necessary.

Benefits and Issues:

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A person afflicted with leprosy (majdhum) should remain separate from the general public so that others are not harmed by him.

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Bay‘ah (pledge of allegiance) is the name of a promise.
Shaking hands (musafahah) in it is only for emphasis.
Bay‘ah is valid even without shaking hands.
Just as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not shake hands with women when taking their bay‘ah. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Ahkam, Chapter: The Bay‘ah of Women, Hadith: 7214)