The Ruling on Greeting Women
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Question:
The questioner asks: Is it permissible for me to greet my uncle’s wife, my maternal uncle’s wife, or other elderly women who have reached the age of menopause?
Answer:
Greeting with words is permissible, even with women who are not elderly. You may greet young women or elderly women, provided there is no seclusion and no looking, but rather with lowering the gaze and without seclusion. You may return the greeting or initiate the greeting to your close female relatives, such as your paternal or maternal cousins, or your brother’s wife, or your uncle’s wife. There is nothing wrong with this, even if she is young. You may return the greeting or initiate it, or ask, “How are your children? How are your parents?” or the like. However, it is not permissible with seclusion, nor is it permissible in the presence of exposure, nudity, or a lack of covering. Rather, if you find any of this, you must advise her. If she is not properly covered, advise her and say, “Cover yourself.” There is nothing wrong with greeting her or asking about her condition, but advise her if she falls short in anything. Command her to observe hijab, command her not to be in seclusion with a non-mahram, and explain to her the ruling of the Shari'ah. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
The questioner asks: Is it permissible for me to greet my uncle’s wife, my maternal uncle’s wife, or other elderly women who have reached the age of menopause?
Answer:
Greeting with words is permissible, even with women who are not elderly. You may greet young women or elderly women, provided there is no seclusion and no looking, but rather with lowering the gaze and without seclusion. You may return the greeting or initiate the greeting to your close female relatives, such as your paternal or maternal cousins, or your brother’s wife, or your uncle’s wife. There is nothing wrong with this, even if she is young. You may return the greeting or initiate it, or ask, “How are your children? How are your parents?” or the like. However, it is not permissible with seclusion, nor is it permissible in the presence of exposure, nudity, or a lack of covering. Rather, if you find any of this, you must advise her. If she is not properly covered, advise her and say, “Cover yourself.” There is nothing wrong with greeting her or asking about her condition, but advise her if she falls short in anything. Command her to observe hijab, command her not to be in seclusion with a non-mahram, and explain to her the ruling of the Shari'ah. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.