Is it permissible for a male student in medical school to shake hands with one of his female friends if she initiates it, taking into consideration the nature of his future profession, which will entrust him with the private parts of women?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to shake hands with a non- woman, even if she initiates it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, refrained from shaking hands with a woman who extended her hand to him, and he is the best role model. It is not correct to use the permissibility of uncovering one's awrah for medical treatment as evidence for the permissibility of shaking hands, because uncovering the awrah is only permissible out of necessity, whereas shaking hands is originally forbidden.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/136057
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 136057
- 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