The statement of Umm Hani': (So she greeted him) Does this not indicate the permissibility of greeting a non-mahram?
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The questioner : The statement of Umm Hani' Does this not indicate the permissibility of a woman greeting a non-mahram?
The Shaykh : Yes, but it is not for every non-mahram. A woman’s greeting a non-mahram is permissible if there is familiarity between them, such as this woman who was his cousin’s daughter and he knew her from long ago because he had lived in the house of Abu Talib. In that case, there is no harm. Likewise, if a neighbor’s wife comes to the house and enters while you are with your family, there is no harm in saying, “How are you, O so-and-so’s mother,” or something similar. So, greeting a non-mahram is not absolutely permissible, nor is it absolutely forbidden, but it must be without handshaking.
The student: Three.
The Shaykh : Three? Hold onto your right, O Yahya. Yes.
So she greeted him
فسلمت عليهThe Shaykh : Yes, but it is not for every non-mahram. A woman’s greeting a non-mahram is permissible if there is familiarity between them, such as this woman who was his cousin’s daughter and he knew her from long ago because he had lived in the house of Abu Talib. In that case, there is no harm. Likewise, if a neighbor’s wife comes to the house and enters while you are with your family, there is no harm in saying, “How are you, O so-and-so’s mother,” or something similar. So, greeting a non-mahram is not absolutely permissible, nor is it absolutely forbidden, but it must be without handshaking.
The student: Three.
The Shaykh : Three? Hold onto your right, O Yahya. Yes.