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Prohibitions in Islam - Page 19

of being backward, having a complex, trying to break family ties, doubting their good intentions, etc. Shaking hands with female cousins, brothers’ wives and uncles’ wives is now easier than drinking water in our society, but if we look properly we will understand the seriousness of the matter. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle it would be better for him than touching a woman whom he is not permitted to touch.” (Reported by Al-Tabarani, 20/212; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 4921).

There is no doubt that this is an act of zina, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The eyes may commit zina, the hands may commit zina, the feet may commit zina and the private parts may commit zina." (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 1/412; see also Sahih Al-Jami', 4921).

Is there anyone more pure in heart than Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? Yet still he said, “I do not shake hands with women.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 6/357; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 7054, and Al-Isaabah, 4/354, Daar Al-Kitab Al-’Arabi edition). And he said, "I do not touch the hands of women." (Reported by Al- Tabarani in Al-Kabeer, 24/342; see also Sahih Al-Jami', 7054 and Al-Isaabah, 4/354, Dar Al-Kutub Al-'Arabi edition).

‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “No, by Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never touched the hand of a (non-mahram) woman. He received bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) from them by word only.” (Reported by Muslim, 3/489).

Let them fear Allah, those people who threaten their pious wives with divorce if they do not shake hands with their brothers. We should also note that placing a barrier such as a piece of cloth is of no use; it is still haram to shake hands with a non-mahram woman.

A woman wearing perfume when going out or passing by non-mahram men

This practice is widespread nowadays, despite the stern warning of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said: “Any woman who applies perfume and then goes out among the people so that they could smell her fragrance is a zaaniyah (adulteress).” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 4/418; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 105).

Some women are very careless and take the matter too lightly, especially in front of drivers, shopkeepers, school porters, etc., even though the Sharee’ah states very strictly that the woman who wears perfume must wash herself like a person must wash when in a state of janaabah (i.e., perform ghusl), if she wants to go out to the mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Any woman who wears perfume then goes out to the mosque, so that the fragrance can be discerned, her prayers will not be accepted until she performs ghusl like the ghusl to be performed when in a state of janaabah.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 2/444; see also Sahih Al- Jami’, 2703).

We complain to Allah about the bukhoor and ‘ood (types of incense) used at weddings and women’s parties before people leave, and the use of strong-smelling perfumes in market-places, means of transportation and mixed gatherings in the mosques even during the nights of Ramzan. Islam tells us that women’s perfume