Question:
Is it Haraam for a man to shake a woman’s hand and vice versa except if it is her immediate family member?
Answer:
Yes. It is prohbited. Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah (Radiyallahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had never shaken hands with a non-Mahram female ever. (Bulooghul Maraam).
When it comes to opposite genders, a female is only permitted to shake the hands of her Mahram male relatives and her husband. Similarly, a male is only permitted to shake the hands of his Mahram female relatives and his wife.
And Allah knows best
Suhail Tarmahomed (Mufti)
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Fatwa Department