What is the ruling on using the principle of "widespread affliction" (ammat biha al-balwa) to permit impermissible matters, such as handshaking?

The Lawgiver is Allah alone, and the one who conveys from Him is the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. Rulings are not abrogated except by revelation from Allah, and revelation ceased with the death of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Therefore, shaking hands with a non-mahram (definition) woman is forbidden and will remain so. This is indicated by his saying, peace be upon him: "For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not lawful for him." This is also supported by Allah's command to lower the gaze for believing men and believing women. If lowering the gaze is obligatory, then shaking hands is even more forbidden. And the saying of some that something becomes permissible if its affliction becomes widespread is a false statement.