I am working in organisation, where ladies (Muslim) also works, while interacting with them should we say Assalamwalaikum or not and when they say Assalamuwalaikum should we reply to them with walaikumassalam or any other word or keep quite?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

 Answer

It is permissible for a man to give salaam to a non-mahram woman and also reply to them, if she is elderly or where there is no danger of temptation (fitnah) like for example if other people are there, however, where there is fitnah it will be considered makruh. (Mazahirul Haqq p.346 v.5)

Some may point to the hadith which can be found in Sunan Abu Dawud where Asma Radiallahu Anha the daughter of Yazeed said: “The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam passed by us women and greeted us with salaam.”

The reply to this hadith is that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam was infallible and was protected from fitnah, hence one should not compare ourselves with the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. (Mazahirul Haqq p.346 v.5)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham