Is it forbidden for a man to shake hands with a woman who is a stranger to him?
Shaking hands with a non- woman is forbidden, based on the Prophet's (peace 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." This is also due to the potential for fitna (temptation/strife) therein. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself did not shake hands with non-mahram women, even during the pledge of allegiance; rather, he would accept their pledge verbally. His hand never touched the hand of any woman except one he owned. Therefore, a Muslim should not shake hands with a non-mahram woman, even if he feels embarrassed. He can politely apologize and explain the reason.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 25649
- 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