Taken from the book “Aḥkām wa Masā’il Kitāb o Sunnat kī Roshni Mein” by Shaykh Mubashshir Ahmad Rabbānī
If one makes a phone call and a woman answers, should Salām be offered to her?
If the woman says Salām, should one reply? If not, what should be done?
In Islamic Shariʿah, all Muslims are encouraged to spread Salām. The Prophet ﷺ would offer Salām even to women when passing by them.
❖ Jareer رضي الله عنه narrates:
"The Prophet ﷺ passed by some women and offered Salām to them."
(Musnad Aḥmad 1/357, ḥadīth 19426)
This narration is considered ḥasan (sound) due to supporting evidences.
❖ Asmā’ bint Yazīd رضي الله عنها said:
"The Prophet ﷺ passed by us women and greeted us with Salām."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Adab, Bāb fī al-Salām ʿalā al-Nisā’, ḥadīth 5204 | al-Tirmidhī 2697 | al-Adab al-Mufrad)
From these aḥādīth, it becomes evident that greeting women with Salām is permissible and legislated in Sharīʿah.
The noble Companions (Ṣaḥābah) would greet the Mothers of the Believers (Ummahāt al-Mu’minīn), and they would reply to the Salām. This shows that the practice was common and accepted.
However, if there is a fear of temptation (fitnah) in any situation, then it is better to avoid initiating Salām. And if a woman replies to Salām, she must do so in a tone that is serious and modest, avoiding softness or a flirtatious manner of speech.
This is because the Qur'an has clearly prohibited alluring speech from women. Allah says:
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ ٱلَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِۦ مَرَضٌۭ
“Do not be soft in speech lest he in whose heart is a disease should covet.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
Therefore, when you call a friend or acquaintance and a female member of the household answers,
❖ Greet her with Salām.
❖ If she says Salām first, reply to her with Salām.
❖ However, do not engage in unnecessary conversation, especially beyond the purpose of the call, in order to prevent any possible fitnah.
✦ Question:
If one makes a phone call and a woman answers, should Salām be offered to her?
If the woman says Salām, should one reply? If not, what should be done?
✦ Answer:
In Islamic Shariʿah, all Muslims are encouraged to spread Salām. The Prophet ﷺ would offer Salām even to women when passing by them.
✦ Evidence from Sunnah:
❖ Jareer رضي الله عنه narrates:
"The Prophet ﷺ passed by some women and offered Salām to them."
(Musnad Aḥmad 1/357, ḥadīth 19426)
This narration is considered ḥasan (sound) due to supporting evidences.
❖ Asmā’ bint Yazīd رضي الله عنها said:
"The Prophet ﷺ passed by us women and greeted us with Salām."
(Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Adab, Bāb fī al-Salām ʿalā al-Nisā’, ḥadīth 5204 | al-Tirmidhī 2697 | al-Adab al-Mufrad)
From these aḥādīth, it becomes evident that greeting women with Salām is permissible and legislated in Sharīʿah.
✦ Practice of the Companions:
The noble Companions (Ṣaḥābah) would greet the Mothers of the Believers (Ummahāt al-Mu’minīn), and they would reply to the Salām. This shows that the practice was common and accepted.
✦ Guidelines to Prevent Fitnah:
However, if there is a fear of temptation (fitnah) in any situation, then it is better to avoid initiating Salām. And if a woman replies to Salām, she must do so in a tone that is serious and modest, avoiding softness or a flirtatious manner of speech.
This is because the Qur'an has clearly prohibited alluring speech from women. Allah says:
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ ٱلَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِۦ مَرَضٌۭ
“Do not be soft in speech lest he in whose heart is a disease should covet.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
Practical Application on Phone Calls:
Therefore, when you call a friend or acquaintance and a female member of the household answers,
❖ Greet her with Salām.
❖ If she says Salām first, reply to her with Salām.
❖ However, do not engage in unnecessary conversation, especially beyond the purpose of the call, in order to prevent any possible fitnah.
