The Ruling on Men Shaking Hands with Women Who Are Not Mahrams
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Question:
A listener from Sudan sent a message containing several questions. This listener is Ali al-Siddiq Ali. In one of them, he says:
I ask you to please clarify the ruling on shaking hands for men with women, and to specify which of them a man is permitted to shake hands with. Because some people say: As long as the heart is not stirred by any sexual desire, and so on, there is no sin in the greeting. I want you to respond to these people.
May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Shaking hands with women is not permissible if the women are not mahrams to the one shaking hands, whether they are paternal cousins, brothers' wives, uncles' wives, or neighbors. All of this is not permissible. This is because the danger of shaking hands is great, and it may lead to consequences that are not praiseworthy. For this reason, it is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sunan Ibn Majah 2874Sahih (Darussalam) When a woman wanted to shake his hand, he said: Sunan Ibn Majah 2874Sahih (Darussalam) during the pledge of allegiance.
And Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) 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 pledged allegiance to them with words." Therefore, shaking hands with women who are not mahrams is never permissible, even if there is a barrier. One should only greet them with words. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would greet them with words and respond to them with words. And so it was with the Companions. There is no objection to greeting women and returning their greetings without shaking hands and without uncovering, but rather with covering and hijab, and without seclusion.
And the women used to greet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and ask him about their needs, and he would greet them and speak to them. And so it was with the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all). Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. Some women, when they want to shake hands with men, put a part of their clothing on their hand. What is your opinion, Shaykh?
The Shaykh: No, that is not appropriate. Because this is a means to laxity. He should not shake her hand, neither with a barrier nor with the hand uncovered, in order to block the door and to act according to the general ruling.Sunan Ibn Majah 2874Sahih (Darussalam) He said this (peace and blessings be upon him), and he is the role model. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Ahzab: 21]. And because shaking hands is a means to pleasure and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), some scholars have said: It is greater than looking, more dangerous than looking. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Nur: 30]. We say: Touching the hand may be more dangerous than looking. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
A listener from Sudan sent a message containing several questions. This listener is Ali al-Siddiq Ali. In one of them, he says:
I ask you to please clarify the ruling on shaking hands for men with women, and to specify which of them a man is permitted to shake hands with. Because some people say: As long as the heart is not stirred by any sexual desire, and so on, there is no sin in the greeting. I want you to respond to these people.
May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Shaking hands with women is not permissible if the women are not mahrams to the one shaking hands, whether they are paternal cousins, brothers' wives, uncles' wives, or neighbors. All of this is not permissible. This is because the danger of shaking hands is great, and it may lead to consequences that are not praiseworthy. For this reason, it is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
But I do not shake hands with women.
إني لا أصافح النساءBut I do not shake hands with women.
إني لا أصافح النساءAnd Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) 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 pledged allegiance to them with words." Therefore, shaking hands with women who are not mahrams is never permissible, even if there is a barrier. One should only greet them with words. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would greet them with words and respond to them with words. And so it was with the Companions. There is no objection to greeting women and returning their greetings without shaking hands and without uncovering, but rather with covering and hijab, and without seclusion.
And the women used to greet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and ask him about their needs, and he would greet them and speak to them. And so it was with the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all). Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. Some women, when they want to shake hands with men, put a part of their clothing on their hand. What is your opinion, Shaykh?
The Shaykh: No, that is not appropriate. Because this is a means to laxity. He should not shake her hand, neither with a barrier nor with the hand uncovered, in order to block the door and to act according to the general ruling.
But I do not shake hands with women.
إني لا أصافح النساءThere has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌTell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision
قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْThe presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.