Can Men and Women Shake Hands?

Question

When two Muslims meet, is shaking hands really a Sunnah, and does it carry any reward?

Bottom Line

Yes. A simple handshake done with Salam is Sunnah and wipes away sins. A handshake isn’t just a courtesy; it’s forgiveness in your palm.

Quick Answer

Shaking hands (musafaha) is a prophetic practice that symbolizes love, brotherhood, and the removal of ill feelings. When Muslims greet each other with Salam and shake hands, their sins are forgiven before they part ways. It is Sunnah for men with men and women with women, but prohibited between non-mahram men and women.

Key Takeaways

• Shaking hands with Salam strengthens unity and removes resentment.
• Sins are forgiven by Allah’s mercy when done sincerely between believers.
• Permissible between mahrams or same-gender Muslims; forbidden between non-mahram men and women.

Detailed Answer

Shaking hands when meeting and saying Salam is part of the etiquette of Islam and a Sunnah practice of good character. It is more than a cultural greeting it is an act of worship that strengthens love, removes grudges, and brings forgiveness.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There are no two Muslims who meet and shake hands with one another, but they will be forgiven before they part.”

Sunan Abi Dawud 5212

This practice was well known among the Companions. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked if the Sahabah used to shake hands. He replied: *“Yes.”Sahih al-Bukhari 6263

Classical scholars affirmed its value. Ibn Battal said shaking hands is good according to most scholars.

Al-Nawawi stated:
“Shaking hands when meeting is a Sunnah on which there is consensus.”* (Fath al-Bari, 11/55)

How to Shake Hands

The Arabic word *musafaha* means placing one hand in another’s hand. Based on this, most scholars agree that the Sunnah is with one hand, which was the norm among the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions.

Some Hanafi and Maliki jurists recommended two hands (placing the left hand over the back of the other’s), but this was not the Prophet’s usual practice. At times, he did hold a companion’s hand with both hands for emphasis in teaching, but the regular Sunnah was a one-handed shake. The Permanent Committee for Fatwa concluded:

“As for shaking hands using both hands, we do not know anything about that. It is better to use just one hand.” (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, 24/125)

Gender Rulings

The Sunnah applies to men with men and women with women. Shaking hands between non-mahram men and women is strictly prohibited, as confirmed by fatwas such as Majmu‘ Fatawa Ibn Baz (6/403) and Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Da’imah (24/429).

Health Exceptions

Islam considers necessity and harm prevention. During illness outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding handshakes is acceptable. Giving Salam verbally suffices because preserving health is part of Shariah’s objectives.

What This Means for You

When you greet a fellow Muslim, offering Salam with a handshake is a Sunnah that erases sins and strengthens brotherhood. Done with the right intention, this simple act becomes worship.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

1. Sunan Abi Dawud 5212: Sins forgiven when two Muslims shake hands.
2. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 2727: Shaking hands as a practice of brotherhood.
3. Sahih al-Bukhari 6263: The Companions used to shake hands.
4. Musnad al-Bazzar 8335: Sins fall like leaves when Muslims shake hands.
5. Al-Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat 4445: Additional narration on shaking hands.

Secondary Sources

6. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Fath al-Bari (11/55): Consensus on shaking hands.
7. Al-Nawawi, al-Adhkar (p. 374): Shaking hands as Sunnah.
8. Ibn Baz, Majmu‘ Fatawa (6/403): Ruling on gender interaction.
9. Al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, Fatawa (24/429): Prohibition of shaking hands with non-mahram.