Men and women shaking hands with one another

Reference: Fataawa Noor ‘alad-Darb – Question No.5852, Page 276, Volume 11

Question: Is it permissible for a man to shake the hand of a woman he is not a mahram for; bearing in mind [where we live] there are men who stand up out of respect and shake their hands?

Response: It is not permissible for a woman to extend her hand to a man who is not her mahram to shake, and likewise it is not permissible for a man to extend his hand to a woman for whom he is not a mahram to shake. That is because a man touching the skin of a woman for whom he is not a mahram is prohibited, since it is similar to looking, rather, more severe in terms of exciting [desires, leading to] fitnah.

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.