The Ruling on Shaking Hands with Women Who Are Not Mahrams
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Question:
He asks and says: When I visit my relatives, I refrain from shaking hands with the women. This action is met with mockery from them, and sometimes their brother takes me inside the house to greet them against my will. At other times, they themselves come and greet me forcefully. This is forbidden for me in the Shari'ah, and if I cut ties with them, I would be severing the family bond. I ask you to guide me on how to handle this. May Allah reward you with good?
Answer:
Shaking hands with women is not permissible if they are not mahrams, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Ibn Majah 2874Sahih (Darussalam) and the saying of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): Also, because handshaking is a means to fitnah (trial or temptation). Some scholars have stated that it is greater than looking, and Allah has explicitly forbidden looking, so handshaking may be more severe in causing fitnah. Therefore, it is not permissible, even if they do not agree with this. You must refrain and inform them of the religious ruling. Praise be to Allah, whether they are old women or young women, you should greet them with words, ask about their conditions, and pray for their well-being. As for handshaking, it is not allowed.
If your presence compels them to force you into this, then do not attend. Greet them from a distance by telephone, by writing, or by sending a message instructing someone to greet them, or similar means. The matter is broad in this regard, praise be to Allah. It is not a condition of maintaining family ties that you be present. If you maintain the tie by praying for them, greeting them through writing, or through a message, or through the telephone, all of this is good. And if they are poor and you send them assistance, that is also maintaining the tie. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
He asks and says: When I visit my relatives, I refrain from shaking hands with the women. This action is met with mockery from them, and sometimes their brother takes me inside the house to greet them against my will. At other times, they themselves come and greet me forcefully. This is forbidden for me in the Shari'ah, and if I cut ties with them, I would be severing the family bond. I ask you to guide me on how to handle this. May Allah reward you with good?
Answer:
Shaking hands with women is not permissible if they are not mahrams, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
But I do not shake hands with women.
إني لا أصافح النساءBy Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never touched the hand of a woman; he only pledged allegiance to them with words.
والله ما مست يد رسول الله يد امرأة قط، ما كان يبايعهن إلا بالكلامIf your presence compels them to force you into this, then do not attend. Greet them from a distance by telephone, by writing, or by sending a message instructing someone to greet them, or similar means. The matter is broad in this regard, praise be to Allah. It is not a condition of maintaining family ties that you be present. If you maintain the tie by praying for them, greeting them through writing, or through a message, or through the telephone, all of this is good. And if they are poor and you send them assistance, that is also maintaining the tie. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.