Is it permissible for non-Mahram Muslim males and females to greet each other with a verbal salaam, eg. in a work environment? Jazakallah
Question
The question text was not published separately; the title stands in for it.
Is it permissible for non-Mahram Muslim males and females to greet each other with a verbal salaam, eg. in a work environment? Jazakallah
Answer
Q: What is the Shar'ee ruling on Ghayr Mahram (not prohibited in marriage) males and females making Salaam to one another?
A: It is not permissible for Ghayr Mahram males and females to communicate with one another. The negative aspects of free speaking between Ghayr Mahram males and females is clear as daylight. If the need arises to communicate, for example, answering the telephone, etc. then the male should make Salaam first and confine his communication to the need. A female should not respond in a soft and alluring voice. (Surah 33 Aayat32)
It is permissible for an elderly woman to reply the salaam of a male. However, if the woman is young, it is not permissible for her to reply to the salaam of a male. If an elderly female makes Salaam first, then the male may answer her audibly. If a young woman makes Salaam first, then the male may reply her Salaam in his heart and not audibly. (Shaami vol.6 pg.369; HM Saeed)
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.