Major Sins # 25
Shaking Hands with a Non-Mahram Woman
This is one of the cases where incorrect social customs have taken precedence
over the laws of Allaah, to such an extent that if you try to talk to people
and show them evidence that this is wrong, they will accuse you of being
backward, having a complex, trying to break family ties, doubting their good
intentions, etc. Shaking hands with female cousins, brothers' wives and uncles'
wives is now easier than drinking water in our society, but if we look properly
we will understand the seriousness of the matter.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "If one of you
were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle it would be better for him
than touching a woman whom he is not permitted to touch."
(Reported by al-Tabaraani, 20/212; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 4921).
There is no doubt that this is an act of zinaa, because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The eyes may commit zinaa, the hands
may commit zinaa, the feet may commit zinaa and the private parts may commit
zinaa."
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 1/412; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 4921).
Is there anyone more pure in heart than Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him)?
Yet still he said, "I do not shake hands with women."
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 6/357; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 7054, and
al-Isaabah, 4/354, Daar al-Kitaab al-'Arabi edition).
And he said, "I do not touch the hands of women."
(Reported by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 24/342; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 7054
and al-Isaabah, 4/354, Dar al-Kutub al-'Arabi edition).
Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: "No, by Allaah, the hand of the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched
the hand of a (non-mahram) woman. He received bayah (pledge of allegiance) from
them by word only."
(Reported by Muslim, 3/489).
Let them fear Allaah, those people who threaten their pious wives with divorce
if they do not shake hands with their brothers.
We should also note that placing a barrier such as a piece of cloth is of no
use; it is still haraam to shake hands with a non-mahram woman.
Prohibitions that are taken too lightly
Book by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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