The Ruling on Shaking Hands With an Unrelated Woman Through a Barrier
Question :
Is it permissible for me to shake hands with an unrelated woman, if she places a barrier (i.e., gloves, cloth etc.) over her hands and what is the evidence, may you be rewarded? And is the ruling on the woman who is ofadvanced age the same as the ruling on the young woman?
Answer:
It is not permissible for a man to shake hands with an unrelated woman for whom he is not a Mahram, whether directly, or through a barrier, because this is a form of trial and temptation (Fitnah) and Allah, Most High says:
"And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)), and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him)."
This Verse proves that it is incumbent upon us to abandon everything which leads to Zina (adultery and fornication), whether it be Zina of the private parts and that is the greater sin or other (such as of the eyes etc.). And there is no doubt that when a man touches an unrelated woman's hand, it may excite feelings of desire, in addition to the fact that it has been reported in a Hadith that there is a promise of stern punishment for one who shakes hands with a woman to whom he is not a Mahram and there is no difference in this between the young woman and the old woman. This is because, as it is said: For every lost insignificant thing, there is a finder. Also, people's understanding of the measure by which one would differentiate between a young woman and an old woman may differ: One of them might say: "This woman is old," while another might say: "This woman is young."
Source:
Ibn 'Uthaimin
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 5 Pages 113-114
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