Is it permissible for a man to shake hands with women when he returns to his country?

Question:
When a person returns to his country, his family, relatives, and neighbors come to greet him, both men and women. The women extend their hands. Is it permissible for him to shake their hands?

Answer:
It is not permissible for a man to shake hands with women who are not among his mahram (relatives one may not marry); because this is an invitation to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not shake hands with women during the pledge of allegiance or in any other context. He said, "I do not shake hands with women."
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "The hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never touched the hand of a woman who was not lawful for him. Rather, he took the pledge from women by words." This is evidence that it is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a woman who is not among his mahram (relatives one may not marry); because of the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) involved in that, and because if the customs of people are contrary to the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law), then they must be rejected, and the Sunnah (the Prophet's way) must be followed. Yes. May Allah bless you.