If you are a male and want to greet a female Muslim avoid the “As-Salaam-Alaikum” greeting. Muslims use “As-Salaam-Alaikum” when men greet men, women greet woman, and when a man greets his female family members. All the above groups can use the greeting of salaam, and the other has to return the greeting. However, there is a unique rule that prohibits a man from greeting a woman (nonfamily member) because of fitnah (temptation) that in certain cases, may result from it. So, if the woman is a stranger, the man should not greet her with the salaam greeting, and if he does by mistake, she should not greet him back. If she is an elderly woman and there is not the fear of temptation, then a male can greet her with salaam, and she can return the greeting. You can greet a female Muslim, place your hand on your chest and make a polite gesture/nod. If there is a group of women, a man can greet them as a group with salaam, as there is no fear of temptation.
Do not shake hands with female Muslims unless she starts the contact. Muslim women avoid physical touch with men outside of their family (father, brother, husband, etc.) due to religious reasons. If the female Muslim is married, she is not permitted to touch any other man, in respect to her husband and means that only her husband is allowed to touch her.
