What is the authenticity of the hadith: “It would be better for one of you to be struck with a thorn than to shake hands with a woman”?

The questioner : What is its authenticity, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh : The word “handshake” is not in the hadith; rather, it refers to what leads to it, .

The questioner : I mean the meaning.

The Shaykh : The hadith is authentic.

The questioner : The hadith is authentic.

The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct. It is supported by his statement (peace and blessings be upon him) when he was taking pledges of allegiance from men and also from women. In his taking pledges from men, he would shake their hands, but when he began taking pledges from women, he did not shake their hands. One of them asked him to shake their hands as he shook the hands of men, so he said (peace and blessings be upon him): . For this reason, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: . So your hadith does not contain the word “handshake,” but rather “touching,” and this leads to the meaning of a handshake. Therefore, it is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a woman whom it is not permissible for him to shake hands with. Without a doubt, the women with whom it is permissible for him to shake hands are of two types: one type is one with whom he shakes hands in a state of marital intimacy, at least with the possibility of desire, and that is his wife. The other type is one with whom he shakes hands in a pure manner, and that is the mahram (a relative one may not marry). As for anyone other than these two types, shaking hands is not permissible, based on his statement (peace and blessings be upon him): . The hand commits zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) through shaking hands. This is from the category of sadd al-dhara'i' (blocking the means to harm). Establish the prayer.