Nasai

(1) From this blessed hadith, it is established that there is a difference between taking the pledge of allegiance (bay‘ah) from women and from men. The bay‘ah of both is not the same; that is, at the time of bay‘ah, shaking hands with women is haram (forbidden) and impermissible, whereas with men it is halal (permissible) and allowed. On the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) took the bay‘ah from the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) by shaking hands. This is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an and hadith.

(2) The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not shake hands with non-mahram women, even if there was a need, as is evident from the fact that when taking the bay‘ah from women, he sufficed with taking the pledge verbally. Umm al-Mu’minin, Lady A’ishah al-Siddiqah (radi Allahu anha) states: “By Allah! Even while taking the bay‘ah, the blessed hand of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) never touched the hand of any non-mahram woman.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Tafsir, Hadith: 4891) Therefore, it is not permissible for any pious, righteous, or respected elder of a community or group to place his hand on the head of a non-mahram woman or to shake hands with her, etc.

(3) Any command of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that is for a single man or woman of the ummah applies to all men and women of the ummah, except if the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself makes a specific exception for someone.

(4) “Does not shake hands with women”—in this practice of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is a lesson for those so-called spiritual guides (pirs) who take the bay‘ah by hand indiscriminately from both men and women. If this were permissible, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would not have refrained from it. Similarly, for women to sit unveiled in front of men in gatherings of admonition or spiritual music (sama‘) is also contrary to the spirit of the Shari‘ah.

(5) “I will speak to them separately”—the intent is that even the verbal bay‘ah will not be taken from each woman individually, but rather the pledge will be taken verbally from all the women at the same time. And Allah knows best.

Explanation:
1:
Taking the pledge (bay‘ah) verbally is sufficient for women; there is no need for a handshake.

Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:

➊
Ummaymah radi Allahu anha was the niece of Umm al-Mu'minin Khadijah. Her mother, Raqiqah bint Khuwaylid, was the sister of Umm al-Mu'minin Khadijah bint Khuwaylid radi Allahu anha. Ummaymah's father's name was Abdullah bin Bujad Taymi. See: (Taqrib al-Tahdhib: 8634)

➋
The pledge of allegiance (bay'ah) can also be taken from women.

➌
It is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a non-mahram woman.

➍
In the pledge of allegiance with women, it is obligatory to observe the Shari'ah rulings regarding veiling (hijab).

Benefit:
All obligations and duties are included within "strength and power," and regarding matters beyond these, a person is only accountable for what he has the ability to do. No simple-minded person should think that since he has the strength to perform only three prayers, he will suffice with just three; this is clear misguidance and rebellion against the Qur'an and Hadith.

Pledging allegiance (bay‘ah) is legislated only to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), or to the caliph of the time. Now, since there is no caliph, there will be no bay‘ah to anyone. Nowadays, some people have staged a pretense of taking bay‘ah from their subordinates, which is not correct. And for women, bay‘ah will be verbal, not by placing hand in hand. To touch the body of a non-mahram woman is forbidden and a major sin.