Is shaking hands with the opposite sex allowed in Islam?

Islam does not encourage shaking hands between men and women who are not closely related. It prefers to avoid, right at the start, things that can lead to problems. With close relatives such as a mother, daughter or son, shaking hands is of course allowed.

Many people in the West feel that a refused handshake is impolite. For a Muslim, however, it has nothing to do with rejecting or mistrusting the other person. It reflects a principle that shapes the whole way men and women relate to each other in Islam.

Islam does not wait until something has gone wrong. It prefers to nip problems in the bud. The second verse above makes this clear. It does not only say that one should not commit a wrong. It says one should not even come near it. A handshake on its own is harmless. Yet touch creates closeness, and closeness can lead to more than anyone intended.

This is why the restraint applies only to people who are not closely related. With one’s own mother, daughter, son or other close blood relatives, shaking hands is not forbidden at all. Where Islam prohibits something, it does so for a specific purpose. Where that purpose does not apply, there is no restriction either.

In everyday life this can usually be handled with kindness. A warm greeting, a smile and a few honest words show that no offence is meant. Many people respect such a stance once they understand the reason behind it.