Does holding hands with a non-mahram woman necessitate ghusl?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Although it is haram to touch non-mahram women, it does not necessitate ghusl and does not invalidate wudu according to Hanafi madhhab.

It is not permissible for a man and a woman who are not married to touch each other and to remain alone. Since it is haram to look at a woman who is non-mahram, it is definitely haram to touch or shake hands with her.

The women who paid allegiance to the Prophet (pbuh) said: “O Messenger of Allah! You did not hold our hands when we paid allegiance.” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “I do not shake hands with women.” (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Nasai, Ibn Majah)

Aisha (ra) states the following regarding allegiance: “I swear by Allah that the hand of the Messenger of Allah did not touch a woman’s hand. He received allegiance from them only with words.” (Muslim).

The Prophet (pbuh) states the following in a hadith:

“It is better for one of you to be poked with a needle than touching a non-mahram woman.”

The religion of Islam does not disparage women by prohibiting shaking hands with women. On the contrary, it saves their honor. It prevents malicious people from touching them lustfully. (Halil GÜNENÇ, Günümüz Meselelerine Fetvalar II. 170)

It is haram for a woman’s hand to touch the hand of a non-mahram man unless there is an obligation. In this respect, this haram is in question in handshakes that are not based on any need. A non-mahram man cannot shake hands with a non-mahram woman or touch the hand of a non-mahram woman. Our Prophet (pbuh) informed us that holding the hand of a non-mahram woman in order to shake hands is more terrible than holding fire, and pointed out that he who held the hand of a non-mahram woman would hold hellfire in his hands.

This risk is especially prevalent for young women and men. The risk is less for the elderly whose emotional aspects have disappeared. It has even been stated that there will be no harm in shaking hands between two old men and women (if they have no such emotions). Therefore, it is permissible to kiss the hands of old women. Their old age, that is, their emotional death, gives such a permission.

If a man’s sexual feelings are aroused when he shakes hands with a non-mahram woman, being haram to each other becomes in question and marital relationship might occur between them. In this regard, it is necessary to be very meticulous about the relations between men and women because the emotional excitement that might arise during such an unnecessary handshake or hand kissing and the lustful feelings that might be felt toward the opposite sex might cause haram, and that woman’s daughter might become haram for that person. Staying away from such doubtful situations is the healthiest precaution. One should try to keep away from such situations as much as possible, and should not give rise to delusions such as whether a lustful feeling has arisen or not.

As we all know, thinking about marrying a girl and getting engaged does not mean getting married. Therefore, it is absolutely haram and a great sin for a person to go out with his fiancée and to be alone with her. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “If a man is alone with a woman, the third of them is definitely the devil.”

When engaged people are left alone in a secluded place, some undesirable and illegitimate negative consequences might occur and eventually the engagement is broken off for some reason. What remains is sin and unchastity. Therefore, people who care about their religion, world and honor should be careful about such illegitimate things. (al-Fiqhul-Islami wa Adillatuha Vol. 7, p. 25; Halil GÜNENÇ, Günümüz Meselelerine Fetvalar II. 112)

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