It is permissible for a person, at times, to embrace his Muslim brother, even if he is not traveling

The Shaykh : Then, incidentally, I found a narration when I undertook to trace, or rather briefly verify, the book *Al-Shama'il* by al-Tirmidhi, and then to evaluate the authenticity of its hadiths, distinguishing the authentic from the weak. There I mentioned the narration of Abu al-Tayhan when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) visited him in his date grove. He was outside his house, and his wife welcomed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions, seating them under the date palms. When he asked about Abu al-Tayhan, she said, "He went to fetch water for us, or to get fresh water for us." Then he quickly returned, and when he saw the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with them, he embraced him. From this, I derived what permits embracing and holding on, even if only at times. This confirms that the narration of al-Tirmidhi is unique, and I think it is from the narration of Hanzalah ibn Abi Sufyan, may Allah know best, from Anas ibn Malik. Is the book in your hands now?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : So Hanzalah is unique in this addition, and we ultimately set it aside, especially when we found Abu al-Tayhan’s holding on to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and embracing him, and the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) approval of that. We took from this what contradicts what came in the hadith of Hanzalah from Anas ibn Malik in al-Tirmidhi.

The questioner : Where, O Shaykh, did you mention it? In what place? This is the hadith of Abu al-Tayhan?

The Shaykh : This is in *Mukhtasar al-Shama'il*. May Allah reward you.

The questioner : Al-Shama'il.