Ruling on a Woman Greeting a Man by Placing Her Hand on His Head

This article is derived 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, there is a custom where a woman greets a man by placing her hand on his head. The method is as follows:

• When a man greets a group of women, the women respond by placing their hands on his head as a form of greeting.
• This is done only if the man is wearing a head covering (such as a ghutrah or cap).
• The greeting is performed without kissing the man or bowing before him.

Honorable Sheikh, what is the ruling on this type of greeting, keeping in mind that the woman does not kiss the man’s forehead or cheek?

Answer:​

For a woman to greet her father, brother, or other Mahram relatives in this manner is permissible, just as it is permissible for her to shake hands with them.

However, for a non-Mahram man, it is not permissible for a woman to engage in such a greeting, nor is it allowed for her to shake hands with him, even if he is wearing a head covering. This prohibition is in place to prevent fitnah (temptation) and safeguard modesty.

(Fatwa by the Saudi Fatwa Committee)