Is a Muslim man allowed to shake hand with a non-Muslim woman or vice versa?
The question of whether a Muslim man is allowed to shake hands with a non-Muslim woman, or vice versa, is addressed in Islamic jurisprudence. According to the teachings found in the hadith literature, it is generally discouraged for a Muslim man to shake hands with a woman who is not his mahram (a woman he cannot marry).
In the Shia tradition, Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) stated: It is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a woman except for a woman he is forbidden to marry—such as a sister, daughter, paternal aunt, maternal aunt, niece, or similar relation. But for women whom it is lawful for him to marry, he should not shake hands except over clothing, and he should not touch her palm directly.
Al-Kafi 3:1056. Additionally, he mentioned: Only over clothing.
Al-Kafi 3:1057. This indicates a clear preference for maintaining physical boundaries.
In the Sunni tradition, there are similar teachings. Aisha reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made it clear that during the pledge of allegiance to women, he would not shake hands, stating: I have pledged you with words, and by Allah, the hand of no man ever touched a woman's hand in the pledge.
Sahih al-Bukhari 65:411. This highlights the importance of verbal pledge over physical contact between men and women.
Thus, both traditions emphasize the avoidance of direct physical contact between non-mahram men and women, suggesting that shaking hands is generally not permissible.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 3:1056
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 1056
The movement in the valley of Muhassir is one hundred steps. — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about a man shaking hands with a woman. He said, "It is not permissible for a man to shake hands with a woman except for a woman he is forbidden to marry—such as a sister, daughter, paternal aunt, maternal aunt, niece, or similar relation. But for women whom it is lawful for him to marry, he should not shake hands except over clothing, and he should not touch her palm directly."
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Al-Kafi 3:1057
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 1057
I asked him about the boundary of Jam‘ (the gathering). He said it was from Al-Mazamain to the valley of Muhassir. — OR — I said to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him), "Is it permissible for a man to shake hands with a woman who is not a mahram?" He said, "Only over clothing."
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Sahih al-Bukhari 65:411
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 65, Hadith 411 · Narrated by Aisha
Aisha said the Prophet, peace be upon him, tested the women emigrants who came to him with this verse: "O Prophet, when believing women come to you pledging to you..." (Quran 60:12). Whoever accepted this condition from the believing women, the Prophet said to her, 'I have pledged you with words, and by Allah, the hand of no man ever touched a woman's hand in the pledge.' No handshakes in the pledge; it was only a verbal pledge. This was narrated by Yunus, Muammar, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Ishaq from Az-Zuhri, and Ishaq ibn Rashid reported from Az-Zuhri from Urwah and Umrah.
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