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Shaking hand with opposite gender

Q:

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh Team,

While living in the west, it’s normal for individuals to shake hands with the opposite gender. Are the exceptions, where as a shia muslim we can without the intension of any desires or anything, except for the fact that as a company culture the gesture is performed?

Please advise!

Jazakallah Khair

A:

Wa-Alaykum Assalam Wa Rahmtu-Allah,

In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful.

Please see the following https://www.sistani.org/english/qa/01207/

It should be noted you should explain to them at that outset as to why you do not shake the hands of the opposite gender and that this is part of the faith that you have that you must not have physical contact with the opposite gender.  In the majority of times, they would understand and in fact respect how principled you are.

S.L. Al-Hakim