What is the ruling on a woman shaking hands with non-mahram men while wearing gloves during the handshake?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on shaking hands with non-mahram men while wearing gloves on both hands during the handshake, for a fee?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and the Imam of the Pious, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.
The Shaykh : Shaking hands with women who are not mahram is forbidden.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Whether it is through a barrier like gloves or without a barrier, but without a barrier it is more severe, more severe, and more dangerous. It is not permissible for a woman to shake hands with a man who is not her mahram. As for mahram, there is no harm in shaking hands with them, provided that one is safe from fitnah (trial or discord), because what is prohibited is falling into fitnah. If fitnah is confirmed in shaking hands with mahram, it is obligatory to refrain from it.
Do not be surprised if we say that it is a condition for shaking hands with mahram that fitnah not be feared. This is because some mahram relationships are somewhat distant, or the mahram status is not due to blood relation but rather through marriage or breastfeeding. In such cases, respect may decrease in the man's heart, and Satan may circle in his imagination. At that time, fitnah may occur if he shakes hands with a woman who is his mahram. Therefore, one must observe this condition: shaking hands with mahram is permissible in principle as long as fitnah is not feared. If fitnah is feared, it is obligatory to refrain from it.
I add to the answer of this questioner that there is laxity among some people in this matter. You will find a woman shaking hands with her maternal uncles or her maternal uncles' sons, or shaking hands with her neighbors, or similar things that are customs among them.
It is obligatory for the believer to judge by the Shari'ah, not by custom, because the Shari'ah is the judge, and it is to it that we must return. Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said:[An-Nisa 4:59] And Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said: [Muhammad 47:33] And Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said: [Ali 'Imran 3:31].
Accordingly, it is obligatory to turn away from these customs that contradict the Shari'ah. When a person leaves what he is accustomed to and familiar with, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and following the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger, he will find therein the sweetness of faith, his heart will be at peace, and his chest will open up to Islam[Az-Zumar 39:22]. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and the Imam of the Pious, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.
The Shaykh : Shaking hands with women who are not mahram is forbidden.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Whether it is through a barrier like gloves or without a barrier, but without a barrier it is more severe, more severe, and more dangerous. It is not permissible for a woman to shake hands with a man who is not her mahram. As for mahram, there is no harm in shaking hands with them, provided that one is safe from fitnah (trial or discord), because what is prohibited is falling into fitnah. If fitnah is confirmed in shaking hands with mahram, it is obligatory to refrain from it.
Do not be surprised if we say that it is a condition for shaking hands with mahram that fitnah not be feared. This is because some mahram relationships are somewhat distant, or the mahram status is not due to blood relation but rather through marriage or breastfeeding. In such cases, respect may decrease in the man's heart, and Satan may circle in his imagination. At that time, fitnah may occur if he shakes hands with a woman who is his mahram. Therefore, one must observe this condition: shaking hands with mahram is permissible in principle as long as fitnah is not feared. If fitnah is feared, it is obligatory to refrain from it.
I add to the answer of this questioner that there is laxity among some people in this matter. You will find a woman shaking hands with her maternal uncles or her maternal uncles' sons, or shaking hands with her neighbors, or similar things that are customs among them.
It is obligatory for the believer to judge by the Shari'ah, not by custom, because the Shari'ah is the judge, and it is to it that we must return. Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said:
And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًاO you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْSay, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌAccordingly, it is obligatory to turn away from these customs that contradict the Shari'ah. When a person leaves what he is accustomed to and familiar with, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and following the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger, he will find therein the sweetness of faith, his heart will be at peace, and his chest will open up to Islam
So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah
أَفَمَنْ شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلامِ فَهُوَ عَلَى نُورٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَوَيْلٌ لِلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِThe questioner : May Allah bless you.