Shaking hands with non-mehram

This is one of the cases where incorrect social customs have taken precedence over the laws of Allaah Almighty, to such an 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 of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, 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 At-Tabaraani 20/212; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 4921) 3/6

There is no doubt that this is an act of Zina, because the Prophet of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "The eyes may commit Zina, the hands may commit Zina, the feet may commit Zina and the private parts may commit Zina." (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 1/412; see also Saheeh al-Jaami' 4921)

Is there anyone more pure in heart than Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam? Yet still he said: "I do not shake hands with women." (Reported by Imaa Ahmad, 6/357; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 7054, and al-Isaabah 4/354, Daar al-Kitaab al-'Arabi edition) 4/6

And he said: "I do not touch the hands of women." (Reported by At-Tabarani in al-Kabeer, 24/342; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 7054 and al-Isaabah, 4/354, Dar al-Kutub al-'Arabi edition)

'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: "No, by Allaah, the hand of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never touched the hand of a (non-Mahram] woman. He received the Bay'ah (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.

Original Post (click here)