Is it permissible to refrain from shaking hands when diseases are widespread, in adherence to the principle of "no harm and no reciprocating harm" and in order to preserve public health?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Shaking hands is not obligatory, but it is a recommended virtue between a man and a man, a woman and a woman, and a man and his unmarriageable kin (), due to the forgiveness of sins it entails. It must be avoided when there is a fear of harm or the transmission of disease, because a Muslim is commanded to be cautious of what harms him, and obligations are forsaken out of fear of harm.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/178630
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 178630
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy