𝗠𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (34)

Greeting an Elderly Woman and the Prohibition of Physical Contact Question: Some people greet their elderly female neighbour—who may be around seventy years old or somewhat younger—and sometimes kiss her on the head while she is veiled. They say that there is no problem in this because it is merely a gesture of respect toward a woman who is not desired. Is such an action permissible? Sheikh ’Uthaymeen raḥimahullāh: As for greeting her verbally, that is permissible. It is allowed to greet an elderly female neighbour because of the closeness between them, and because the Exalted Allāh says: “As for elderly women past the age of marriage, there is no blame on them if they take off their ˹outer˺ garments, without revealing their adornments.” However, kissing her on the head and shaking hands with her are not permissible, for—as the saying goes— لكل ساقطة لاقطة “every fallen thing has someone who picks it up.” Even if she is not ordinarily desired, Shayṭān flows through the human being as blood flows through the veins. It is sufficient that one greet her and ask about her well-being and the well-being of her children, without seclusion. There is no blame upon you for this. https://t.me/Menzbenefits/82