Does shaking hands with women invalidate the ablution?

Question:
Does shaking hands with women invalidate the ablution?

Answer:
Shaking hands with women is not permissible, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not shake hands with women; rather, he took their pledge of allegiance by words only. And because shaking hands with women involves fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), it is forbidden. Shaking hands with a woman who is not a mahram (a relative one may not marry) is forbidden because it leads to fitnah. As for whether it invalidates the ablution: if there is a barrier between them, it is forbidden, but it does not invalidate the ablution because there is no direct contact. However, if there is no barrier, and it is done with desire, it invalidates the ablution. In the school of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and a group of scholars, direct contact with a woman without a barrier, accompanied by desire, invalidates the ablution, because it is a place where discharge is likely to occur, and the place where something is likely to occur is treated as if it has occurred. Just as sleep invalidates the ablution because it is a place where discharge is likely to occur and a person does not know, the status of the place where something is likely to occur is the status of the thing itself having occurred. And based on His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) regarding the status of sleep or not settling with women, according to the interpretation of those who interpreted "hypocrites" as angels. This is the view of Imam Ahmad and the group of scholars. Some scholars hold that touching a woman without any barrier, whether with desire or without desire, invalidates the ablution. In summary, touching her without a barrier, whether by shaking hands or otherwise, with desire, invalidates the ablution. May Allah reward you with good, and may He make your 'Eid good.