Islamic Ruling on Handshaking with Non-Mahram Women

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.

✿ Ruling on Shaking Hands with an Unrelated Elderly Woman​

Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on shaking hands with a non-mahram woman? What if there is a barrier, such as cloth, between the hands? Does the ruling differ based on whether the man or the woman is young or old?

✿ Answer:​

Shaking hands with non-mahram women, regardless of whether the woman is young or elderly, and regardless of whether the man is young or old, is not permissible in any case. This is due to the danger of temptation (fitnah) that may arise between the two.
An authentic narration from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) confirms:

"إني لا أصافح النساء"

“Indeed, I do not shake hands with women.”
[Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith 4181]
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) also reported:

"ما مست يد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يد امرأة قط، ما كان يبايعهن إلا بالكلام"

“The hand of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never touched the hand of any woman. He used to take their pledge only through speech.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: Hadith 4983; Sahih Muslim: Hadith 1866]
Therefore, based on general evidences and to block the means to temptation, there is no difference in the ruling whether a barrier (like cloth) is present or not. Both forms of handshaking are impermissible.
This ruling is affirmed by Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله), a prominent scholar of Islam.

✿ Conclusion:​

Islam categorically prohibits physical contact between non-mahram men and women, even in the form of a handshake. This ruling applies equally to both young and old, regardless of whether a barrier is used. Such a prohibition is meant to safeguard modesty and prevent any potential for immorality or temptation.