Is it permissible to shake hands with and look at the women and sons of one's paternal uncles, and the women and sons of one's maternal uncles and aunts, who are considered "elderly," knowing that they are the same age as the questioner or older?
Shaking hands with foreign women is not permissible by Islamic law, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not lawful for him." Some scholars have made an exception, permitting foreign men to shake hands with an old woman who is not desired, and foreign women to shake hands with an old man, provided there is no fear of temptation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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