Question # 83: Is shaking of hand in Ramadan with women, lawful or unlawful? In my country, some people called al sofia said: Shake of hands with women is lawful because the deeds by intentions and for everyone what he does intend.

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: It is not permissible (haram) for a Muslim man to put his hand in the hand of a woman who is not permissible for him or who is not one of his mahrams, within or outside of Ramadan.

Long Answer: It is not permissible for a man to touch a woman even if there is no risk of desire because it is haram in principle and there is no necessity that would allow it. The following ahadith are noteworthy in this regard:

  • It was narrated that Ma’qil ibn Yassaar (رضي الله عنه) said: the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “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 permissible for him.” (Narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Kabeer; Shaykh al-Albaani said in Saheeh al-Jaami’ that this hadith is sahih)
  • It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (رضي الله عنه) the wife of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “When the believing women migrated to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم), they would be tested in accordance with the words of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى): ‘O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bay‘ah (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse’ (Soorah al-Mumtahanah, 60:12) ‘Aa’ishah (رضي الله عنه) said: Whoever among the believing women agreed to that had passed the test, and when the women agreed to that, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said to them: “Go, for you have given your oath of allegiance.’ No, by Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) never touched the hand of any woman, rather they would give their oath of allegiance with words only.” And ‘Aa’ishah (رضي الله عنه) said: “By Allah, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) only took the oath of allegiance from the women in the manner prescribed by Allah, and the hand of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) never touched the hand of any woman. When he had taken their oath of allegiance he would say, ‘I have accepted your oath of allegiance verbally.’” (Narrated by Muslim)
  • It was narrated that Umaymah (رضي الله عنه), the daughter of Raqeeqah said: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “I do not shake hands with women.” (Narrated by al-Nasa’i and Ibn Maajah; classed as sahih by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam