FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
AL-KAFI #666 : HUKUM MEMBERI SALAM BERLAINAN JANTINA
What is the ruling on a man greeting a non-mahram woman with salam, and may she reply?
Short answer
Exchanging salam between men and women is permissible on condition that there is no risk of fitnah (temptation or harm).
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Exchanging salam between men and women is permissible on condition that there is no risk of fitnah (temptation or harm). Classical scholars tied this condition to a mahram relationship, but this fatwa leans towards the view that safety from fitnah can also exist in needs that do not lead to desire, such as a student greeting a teacher, dealings at a market or counter, and seeking a religious opinion. The woman who asked has the right not to reply, especially if she fears fitnah and harassment from the person.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Berdasarkan kenyataan di atas, jelas kepada kita bahawa hukum memberi salam antara lelaki dan wanita adalah diharuskan dengan syarat yang ditetapkan iaitu, aman daripada fitnah.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #666 : HUKUM MEMBERI SALAM BERLAINAN JANTINA”, 10 January 2018. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/2188-al-kafi-666-hukum-memberi-salam-berlainan-jantina. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-giving-salam-to-opposite-gender/