Answer

Imam Nawawi (RA) is of the view that shaking hands when meeting someone is a sunnah according to the consensus of the scholars. Initially, Imam Malik (RA) was of the opinion that it is disliked, but he later retracted from this opinion and is now of the opinion of it being a sunnah. (Durre Mandhuud p.636 v.6)

Saaiduna Salman Farsi Radiallahu Anhu reports that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “When a Muslim meets his Muslim brother and shakes hand, their sins fall down like the dry leaves from a tree during a storm, and their sins are forgiven even if these are equal to the foams of the ocean”. (Tabraani)

Saaiduna Qatada Radiallahu Anhu reports, “I asked Anas Radiallahu Anhu, “Was it a custom of the companions of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam to shake hands with one another? “He said “Yes.” (Sahih Bukhari p.926 v.2)

Regarding your question, there are two types of hadiths on the issue of whether shaking the hands should be done with one hand or both hands.

Imam Bukhari (RA) has written a chapter entitled, “The shaking of hands with both hands” and then brings the following narration from Hammaad ibn Zayd that he shook hands with Abdullah ibn Mubaarak using both hands. He then brings the following hadith that Saaiduna Abdullah Bin Masud Radiallahu Anhu said that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam taught me the tashahhud and holding my hand between both of his. (Sahih Bukhari p.926 v.2)

The conclusion of the aforementioned discussion given by Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gongohi (RA) is that shaking hands with one hand and both hands are both established from the hadith and are both permissible. However, as shaking hands with one hand has become a sign (shi’aar) of immoral people, it is best to refrain from it. (Durre Mandhuud p.636 v.6)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.

Is it Sunnah to Shake Hands Using Both Hands

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