Men and women greeting eachother Islamically

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Due to the risk of Fitna (corruption and immorality), it is inappropriate for non-Mahram men and women to greet each other with Assalaamu Alaykum or any other greeting. However, if a man is greeted by an elderly woman or he greets the elderly woman it is permissible for the one greeted to reply. Conversely, if a young woman greets a man or a man greets a young woman, the one greeted should not reply verbally; rather, he or she should reply within his or her heart.  (Fatawa Rahimiya, 10/126, Isha’at)

وإذا سلمت المرأة الأجنبية على رجل إن كانت عجوزا رد الرجل عليها السلام بلسانه بصوت تسمع وإن كانت شابة رد عليها في نفسه والرجل إذا سلم على امرأة أجنبية فالجواب فيه على العكس
الفتاوى العالمكيرية، 5/326، رشيديه) )

And Allah knows best

Ml. Sajid bin Shabbir,

Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa