Musnad Ishaq

Benefits:
From the aforementioned hadith, the method of taking the pledge (bay‘ah) from women is established. It is understood from this that it is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a non-mahram woman. Severe warnings have been mentioned in the ahadith regarding shaking hands with non-mahram women. As Sayyiduna Ma‘qil bin Yasar radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((It is better for a man that an iron needle be driven into his head than that he should touch a woman who is not lawful for him.)) (Silsilat al-Sahihah, no. 226) ... “For a man to have an iron needle thrust into his head is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not lawful for him (i.e., a non-mahram).”

Touching includes shaking hands with a non-mahram woman or kissing her. In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated that Sayyidah A’ishah radi Allahu anha said: By Allah! The hand of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam never touched the hand of any woman during the pledge (bay‘ah). When taking the pledge from a woman, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would simply say: I have taken your pledge on this matter.

Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah has said: It is not established from any authentic and explicit hadith that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ever shook hands with any woman, whether in the matter of the pledge or in a meeting. (Silsilat al-Sahihah, commentary on hadith no. 529)