Men greeting marriageable women Fatwa No: 87654
- Fatwa Date:2-5-2004
1. What is the difference between Nabi and Rasul that is different between prophet and messenger?
2. Can a man say 'Al-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakathu' to a woman whether she is at her home and the man is a guest or they met in a way (journey) and she is not from the Muharamat? Is saying 'Al-salamu Alaikum' by a man to a woman or the opposite from the duty (right) of a Muslim to a Muslim or not? And if he is going to ask her about some thing does he have to greet her or simply ask the question without the greeting?
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
According to the majority of Muslim scholars ‘Nabi’ is the one to whom Shariah is revealed but he is not ordered to convey it. ‘Rasool’ is the one who is ordered to spread the Shariah that is revealed to him. It is also said that ‘Rasool’ is the one who was sent with a separate Shariah while ‘Nabi’ is the one who follows the previous Rasools’ Shariah.
As for greeting an alien woman with ‘Salaam’, it is allowed provided both persons do not feel seduction according to some scholars. But the majority of Muslim scholars are of the opinion that greeting only aged women is permissible since the chance of seduction in aged women is less than the chance of that happening in young women. For more details, in this subject, please read the Fatwa: 85855.
If there is any need to talk with an alien woman, such as to ask something, or to warn her of something, or to ask permission to enter in a house without being alone with an alien man, then it is permissible and it should be without greeting each other since greeting brings cordiality which should not exist between a man and an alien woman.
Allah knows best.