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.
Is it permissible for a woman to greet men (say Salam) without handshaking?
The scholars of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) have presented detailed rulings on this issue. And (Wallahu A‘lam) the most correct opinion is that:
It is not permissible for a young woman to initiate Salam towards men, even without handshaking.
However, if the woman is elderly and it is most likely that no temptation (fitnah) will result from her greeting, then there is no harm in her greeting men. Just as there is no issue in a man greeting an elderly woman under the same condition.
We are not aware of any established Sunnah or practice from the Salaf al-Salih (righteous predecessors) where they would greet women indiscriminately, regardless of their age. The avoidance of young women greeting men serves as a protective barrier against fitnah, and this is supported by numerous Islamic texts.
Among the clearest evidences is the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم):
"كتب على ابن آدم حظه من الزنا، فهو مدركه لا محالة، فالعين تزني وزناها النظر، والأذن تزني وزناها السمع، واليد تزني وزناها البطش، والرجل تزني وزناها المشي، والفرج يصدق ذلك أو يكذبه"
“The son of Adam has been decreed his share of zina (fornication), which he will inevitably commit. The eye commits zina and its zina is looking; the ear commits zina and its zina is hearing; the hand commits zina and its zina is touching; the foot commits zina and its zina is walking; and the private parts either confirm it or deny it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: Hadith 5889; Sahih Muslim: Hadith 2657]
In another version from Sunan Abi Dawud, with an authentic chain, the wording continues:
"والفم يزني، وزناها القبل"
“And the mouth commits zina, and its zina is kissing.”
This hadith highlights two types of prohibited actions:
① Prohibited due to their consequences – These are actions that serve as means leading to major sins, and Islam prohibits them to block the path to greater harm (Sadd al-Dhara’i‘).
② Prohibited in and of themselves – Such as the act of zina (fornication) itself.
Therefore, even something that appears outwardly minor—like a simple greeting—can serve as a gateway to fitnah, especially in interactions between young, non-mahram men and women.
Ruling by:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله)
It is not permissible for young women to greet non-mahram men, even without handshaking, due to the potential for temptation. In contrast, if the woman is elderly and there is no risk of fitnah, then such a greeting may be permissible under controlled and respectful conditions. Islam prioritizes modesty and the prevention of sin, and such rulings are based on protecting the moral fabric of society.
✿ Question:
Is it permissible for a woman to greet men (say Salam) without handshaking?
✿ Answer:
The scholars of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) have presented detailed rulings on this issue. And (Wallahu A‘lam) the most correct opinion is that:
It is not permissible for a young woman to initiate Salam towards men, even without handshaking.
However, if the woman is elderly and it is most likely that no temptation (fitnah) will result from her greeting, then there is no harm in her greeting men. Just as there is no issue in a man greeting an elderly woman under the same condition.
We are not aware of any established Sunnah or practice from the Salaf al-Salih (righteous predecessors) where they would greet women indiscriminately, regardless of their age. The avoidance of young women greeting men serves as a protective barrier against fitnah, and this is supported by numerous Islamic texts.
Among the clearest evidences is the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم):
"كتب على ابن آدم حظه من الزنا، فهو مدركه لا محالة، فالعين تزني وزناها النظر، والأذن تزني وزناها السمع، واليد تزني وزناها البطش، والرجل تزني وزناها المشي، والفرج يصدق ذلك أو يكذبه"
“The son of Adam has been decreed his share of zina (fornication), which he will inevitably commit. The eye commits zina and its zina is looking; the ear commits zina and its zina is hearing; the hand commits zina and its zina is touching; the foot commits zina and its zina is walking; and the private parts either confirm it or deny it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: Hadith 5889; Sahih Muslim: Hadith 2657]
In another version from Sunan Abi Dawud, with an authentic chain, the wording continues:
"والفم يزني، وزناها القبل"
“And the mouth commits zina, and its zina is kissing.”
✿ Analysis:
This hadith highlights two types of prohibited actions:
① Prohibited due to their consequences – These are actions that serve as means leading to major sins, and Islam prohibits them to block the path to greater harm (Sadd al-Dhara’i‘).
② Prohibited in and of themselves – Such as the act of zina (fornication) itself.
Therefore, even something that appears outwardly minor—like a simple greeting—can serve as a gateway to fitnah, especially in interactions between young, non-mahram men and women.
Ruling by:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (رحمه الله)
✿ Conclusion:
It is not permissible for young women to greet non-mahram men, even without handshaking, due to the potential for temptation. In contrast, if the woman is elderly and there is no risk of fitnah, then such a greeting may be permissible under controlled and respectful conditions. Islam prioritizes modesty and the prevention of sin, and such rulings are based on protecting the moral fabric of society.
