The Ruling on a Male Student Shaking Hands with a Female Classmate

Q: What is the ruling on a male student shaking hands with a female classmate in the study environment? And what should he do if she extends her hand to greet him?

A: Mixed study with girls in the same place, or in the same school, or in the same classroom is not permissible. Rather, this is one of the greatest causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Therefore, it is not permissible for the male student or the female student to share this, because of the fitnah involved. A Muslim man is not permitted to shake hands with a woman who is not a mahram (a relative one may not marry) to him, even if she extends her hand to him. He should inform her that shaking hands is not permissible for unrelated men. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said when taking the pledge of allegiance from the women: .
It is also established from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: "By Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never touched the hand of a woman. He only took their pledge of allegiance by words." And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: : [Al-Ahzab: 21]. And because shaking hands with women who are not their mahrams is one of the means of fitnah for both parties, it is obligatory to leave it.
As for the Shari'ah greeting that involves no fitnah, and without shaking hands, no suspicion, no softness in speech, and with hijab (the covering prescribed for women) and without seclusion, there is nothing wrong with it. This is based on the saying of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): [Al-Ahzab: 32]. And because the women in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to greet him and seek his legal rulings on matters that were difficult for them. Likewise, the women used to seek legal rulings from the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on matters that were difficult for them.
As for a woman shaking hands with other women, or with her mahrams among men, such as her father, her brother, her uncle, and other mahrams, there is nothing wrong with that. And success is from Allah.