What is the reference in which Imam Malik prohibits a man from shaking hands with a non-mahram woman, and is the statement that handshaking is not prohibited unless the one shaking hands desires lust and finds it when shaking hands with a woman, a statement of Imam Malik?
According to Imam Malik, it is impermissible for a man to shake hands with a non-mahram woman, even if she is elderly, because only seeing her is permissible. This is supported by what Al-Tabarani narrated from Ma'qil ibn Yasar, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "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." The jurists have agreed on the prohibition of shaking hands with a non-mahram woman, but they differed on shaking hands with an elderly woman.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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