Adapted from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, comprising the verdicts of the Scholars of the Two Holy Mosques; translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
I am a university student and sometimes I greet young women with "Salam." Is it halal or haram for a male student to greet a female fellow student in such settings?
Firstly:
The very act of studying in mixed-gender environments, such as sitting with young women in the same place, school, or classroom, is not permissible in Shari'ah. Such intermingling is among the major causes of fitnah (temptation). Therefore, for both male and female students, such intermixed and morally hazardous environments are impermissible.
Secondly:
As for the act of greeting (saying Salam) itself:
✔ The greeting must not involve any physical contact (e.g., handshaking).
✔ There should be no intent of attraction, flirtation, or romantic interest.
✔ The greeting must be brief, modest, and free from any fitnah-inducing behavior.
✔ Both parties must maintain Islamic boundaries such as hijab, lowering the gaze, and avoiding private conversations.
If the greeting is mixed with desire, flirtation, or aims to develop a prohibited relationship, then such a Salam is absolutely impermissible in Islam.
Verdict by:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله)
In gender-mixed environments like universities, while the setting itself poses risks of fitnah, a simple and respectful salam between non-mahram students, without physical contact or flirtation, and within clear Islamic boundaries, is not prohibited. However, if the greeting becomes a means of temptation, then it is strictly forbidden by Islamic law.
✿ Question:
I am a university student and sometimes I greet young women with "Salam." Is it halal or haram for a male student to greet a female fellow student in such settings?
✿ Answer:
Firstly:
The very act of studying in mixed-gender environments, such as sitting with young women in the same place, school, or classroom, is not permissible in Shari'ah. Such intermingling is among the major causes of fitnah (temptation). Therefore, for both male and female students, such intermixed and morally hazardous environments are impermissible.
Secondly:
As for the act of greeting (saying Salam) itself:
- If a male student greets a female student with a Shari'ah-compliant salam—that is, one free from temptation, flirtation, or inappropriate tone—there is no harm in doing so.
- Likewise, if a female student greets a male student without shaking hands, and in a modest and respectful manner, while avoiding seclusion (khalwah) and maintaining Islamic hijab and decorum, then there is also no harm in this.
- However, it is haram (forbidden) for a woman to shake hands with a non-mahram man.
✿ Conditions for Permissibility:
✔ The greeting must not involve any physical contact (e.g., handshaking).
✔ There should be no intent of attraction, flirtation, or romantic interest.
✔ The greeting must be brief, modest, and free from any fitnah-inducing behavior.
✔ Both parties must maintain Islamic boundaries such as hijab, lowering the gaze, and avoiding private conversations.
If the greeting is mixed with desire, flirtation, or aims to develop a prohibited relationship, then such a Salam is absolutely impermissible in Islam.
Verdict by:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله)
✿ Conclusion:
In gender-mixed environments like universities, while the setting itself poses risks of fitnah, a simple and respectful salam between non-mahram students, without physical contact or flirtation, and within clear Islamic boundaries, is not prohibited. However, if the greeting becomes a means of temptation, then it is strictly forbidden by Islamic law.
