❖ Islamic Ruling on a Woman Greeting a Man by Placing Hand on His Head ❖
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
In our culture, it is customary for a woman to greet a man by placing her hand on his head. The method is such that when a man returns home, he greets the women, and in response, the women greet him by lowering their hands to his head without kissing, provided he is wearing a cap or scarf. Note that this greeting does not involve kissing the cheeks. Please inform us about the ruling of such a greeting.
If a woman greets her mahram relatives, such as her father, son, or brother, in this manner, then it is permissible. Similarly, it is permissible for her to shake hands with them.
However, to avoid temptation, it is not permissible for a woman to greet a non-mahram (strange) man in this manner or to shake hands with him. It is also impermissible for her to kiss or place her hand on his head, regardless of whether the man is wearing a scarf or cap.
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
In our culture, it is customary for a woman to greet a man by placing her hand on his head. The method is such that when a man returns home, he greets the women, and in response, the women greet him by lowering their hands to his head without kissing, provided he is wearing a cap or scarf. Note that this greeting does not involve kissing the cheeks. Please inform us about the ruling of such a greeting.
❖ Answer:
If a woman greets her mahram relatives, such as her father, son, or brother, in this manner, then it is permissible. Similarly, it is permissible for her to shake hands with them.
However, to avoid temptation, it is not permissible for a woman to greet a non-mahram (strange) man in this manner or to shake hands with him. It is also impermissible for her to kiss or place her hand on his head, regardless of whether the man is wearing a scarf or cap.
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
