It is an authentic hadith, as will be explained, Allah willing, in this volume under no. 2657.

I say: One juristic point derived from this is that the Companions distinguished between being in one’s place of residence and travelling with regard to the etiquette of meeting: in the former case, shaking hands; and in the latter, embracing. For this reason, I had been hesitant about embracing while not travelling, particularly since I had included in the first volume of this “Series” (no. 160) the hadith in which the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade bowing, embracing, and kissing.

Then, when I prepared that volume for republication and reviewed the hadith again, it became clear to me that the phrase “embracing” is not mentioned in the corroborating chains or supporting reports through which I had strengthened the hadith. I therefore removed it, as will be seen, Allah willing, in the new edition of that volume, which has recently been published, praise be to Allah. Once its weakness became clear to me, my hesitation was removed, praise be to Allah—especially when I found that Ibn al-Tayyihan al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, embraced the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the authentic hadith in al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah (no. 113, p. 79, Mukhtasar al-Shama’il) concerning the Prophet’s visit to his home. Yet this only indicates that it is permissible on occasion, not that it should be adhered to and practised regularly as though it were a sunnah—as is the case with shaking hands. Take note of this.

I have also found some excellent remarks by Imam al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy on him, on the distinction just mentioned and on other matters. I therefore considered it useful to cite them here. He said in Sharh al-Sunnah (12/293), after mentioning the hadith of Ja‘far and others whose apparent meanings seem to conflict: “The disliked forms of embracing and kissing are those done as flattery or as an expression of veneration, and while in one’s place of residence. The permitted instances are at leave-taking, upon returning from a journey, after a lengthy absence from a companion, and because of intense love for Allah’s sake. Whoever kisses should not kiss the mouth, but rather the hand, the head, or the forehead.”