Aslaam-o-Alaikum I had a quick question regard shaking hands with an opposite gender. I know that shaking hands with the opposite gender is not permissible. I have had few interviews in past and some of the interviewers were female. When they offered me to shake hands with them, I said no saying that I don't shake hands with females. Don't know whether I wasn't qualified for those position or not but I felt like the reason I didn't get hired because I did not have handshake with them. I feel like whenever I would have another interview and if the interviewer happens to be a female, I would shake hands so I would get the job even though I don't want to. I have been unemployed for last few months and unable to find one. Please suggest me what should I do? Should I shake hands with the interviewer if the person is Female or should I keep avoiding it. Jazakallahu Khyran

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

It is good that you do not shake hands with women, as it is forbidden, and there are authentic texts from the Sunnah of the Prophet in this regard, and we have already clarified them in Fataawa 82318 and 84011.

So, we recommend you to stay firm on this and not shake hands with women. Sustenance is in the Hands of Allaah, and whatever sustenance Allaah has predestined for you will reach you. So, you should not hasten to get it by disobeying Allaah. Allaah says (what means): {And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allaah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.}[Quran 11:6]

Furthermore, it is narrated that the Prophet said: "Jibreel inspired in my heart that no soul would leave this world until its appointed time (i.e. the predestined time for its death) comes, and until it would have consumed its provision in full, so fear Allaah and seek your provision gracefully. If your provision is delayed, this should not lead you to seek it by disobeying Allaah, as you cannot get what is with Allaah except by obeying Him." [Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Bazzaar]

If you fear Allaah, Allaah will facilitate for you the doors of His Provision. Allaah says (what means): {And whoever fears Allaah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.}[Quran 65:2-3]

Besides, the Prophet said: “If you abandon something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate you with something better than it." [Ahmad]

So, you should turn to Allaah and supplicate Him earnestly to provide for you as the one who puts his matter in the Hands of Allaah is never disappointed.

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab narrated that he heard the Prophet saying: “If you were to rely on Allaah as He should be relied upon, you would be provided for in the same way birds are provided for, they set forth with empty stomachs and they return satiated.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]

Allaah Knows best.