Is it permissible for an elderly woman to shake hands with men?
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Question:
Is it permissible for women, or the older women among them, to shake hands with men?
Answer:
Shaking hands is not permissible for women. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 2874Sahih (Darussalam) Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "By Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah never touched the hand of a woman, ever. He only took their pledge of allegiance by words." This means: no woman at all, except those who are mahram (relatives one may not marry). Otherwise, he would touch his mahram. His daughter Fatimah would greet him, take his hand, and kiss it, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) would do the same. But he did not shake hands with women who were not mahram.
So a woman must not shake hands with a non-mahram man: not a teacher, not a cousin, not a neighbor, not the husband's brother, not the sister's husband, nor anyone else. Only words are allowed, even if there is a barrier; because a barrier leads to something else, and there is no basis for it. But she should greet with words only: How are you? How are your children? Peace be upon you, and upon you peace, and the like. As for shaking his hand, no. Some scholars even said that shaking hands is worse than looking.
Q: And does the old woman uncover her face?
The Shaykh: As for the old woman, there is no harm in her uncovering her face if she is not seeking marriage, and covering it is better. As Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: :[An-Nur 24:60], then He said after that: [al-Nur:60]. So if she is an old woman who is not desired and does not display adornment, there is no harm in her removing the cloth from her face, and covering it is better. Her modesty is better; because every one who falls has one who picks her up. One who does not think he desires her may desire her. Fitnah may occur, so her veiling and covering is better.
Is it permissible for women, or the older women among them, to shake hands with men?
Answer:
Shaking hands is not permissible for women. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
But I do not shake hands with women.
إني لا أُصافح النساءSo a woman must not shake hands with a non-mahram man: not a teacher, not a cousin, not a neighbor, not the husband's brother, not the sister's husband, nor anyone else. Only words are allowed, even if there is a barrier; because a barrier leads to something else, and there is no basis for it. But she should greet with words only: How are you? How are your children? Peace be upon you, and upon you peace, and the like. As for shaking his hand, no. Some scholars even said that shaking hands is worse than looking.
Q: And does the old woman uncover her face?
The Shaykh: As for the old woman, there is no harm in her uncovering her face if she is not seeking marriage, and covering it is better. As Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: :
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment
وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍBut to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them
وَأَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَهُنَّ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.