When Muslim women decline a handshake

Why wouldn’t she shake hands?

For many people the handshake is pretty a commonplace.

You do it when you say hello and when you say goodbye, your handshake might be judged and, similarly, you may judge someone based on their handshake.

But for many Muslims, especially those who are more religiously conservative, shaking hands isn’t that straightforward.

There are a few different reasons why Muslims – both men and women – may not shake hands with someone.

Mainly, some followers believe that women should never come into physical contact with ‘non-mehrams’ – men who are not related to them by marriage or blood.

So is it a gender thing?

Usually, but not necessarily.

For example, some traditional Shias and even some Sunni followers believe they’re not supposed to come into contact with any non-Muslims, male or female.

Is it just Muslims who believe in this?

No, Orthodox Judaism teaches something similar – that it is to not physically touch a non-relative of the opposite sex.

I usually say as soon as the hand is extended "I'm sorry I don't shake hands with men, it's a religious thing" or something along those lines.
Most people are not offended and are in fact more worried that they may have offended you.

People are generally very understanding and try to be culturally and religiously sensitive to other people.
What do people do instead of shaking hands?

In such situations, women will often respond to an extended hand by smiling, placing their hand on their heart and bowing in humility instead – which is what this German teenager did.

It’s just another way of showing respect to the person you’re meeting, without having to come into physical contact with them.

[davidpenn]

Is there a word for this gesture (hand over heart with very slight bow)? I wish more people used it instead of handshakes. I think it communicates much better what should be communicated when meeting people in formal or professional settings.

[khaalidahmed]

Masha Allah the best clip i watched since a month. Many Muslims do not that its a big issue to not to shake men and women specially when you are a non muslim countries. At that everyone of us is ambassador of Islam so let us keep the sunnah of the prophet Muhammed sallallahu aleyhi wasallam

[hamzaaden]

M.a your voice is so sweet so audible peace be upon you..

[sadpiratesfan]

i am now educated. thank you for this video. :)

[mohdaleem]

Im from India, some people gesture with namaste Instead of hand shake, 🙏

[mohdaleem]

From were u get that. Sunni followers don't hand with men or boys, they do hand shake with boy n men, but not women

[harijml]

Maa Shaa Allaah sister very nice but also bear in mind please that music is also haram in Islam. JazaakAllaah khair.

[antoniobasanio]

Manshaaalah sizta...preach!!..preach...
May Allah reward u

[thegoatthatgoestothemounta]

Shaking hands is a good part of the western culture, as long you are in the west you must respect. Is simple.

[umamedia]

Tnx huno fo remainding dos hu dsnt knw

[zone]

And this is why so many people have such a negative opinion on Islam