𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (411)

Is Physical Contact with Non-Mahrams Permissible if They Are Elderly and There Is No Fear of Fitnah? QUESTION: Is it permissible for me to kiss my 70-year-old cousin on her forehead over her Hijab (veil) or shake hands with her because she is very old? Sheikh ibn Baz rahimahullah said: "It is not permissible for you to shake hands or kiss her on her head or anywhere. It is permissible for you to greet her with words only even if she is old, because she is a non-Mahram. It is also permissible for you to say, "How are you?", "How are your children?", and so on. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “I do not shake hands with women.” This includes old and young women. ‘Aishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) said, “By Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never touched the hand of any woman.” This refers to women who were not his Mahrams. When he accepted women's oaths of allegiance to him, it was by words." [Majmu’ Al-Fatawa Ibn Baz, Vol.: 7; pg. 183]