Sheikhah Umm Jamaal ud-Din
What is the ruling on shaking hands with the opposite gender, especially in cases with people who are ignorant and might be offended? What about hugging/kissing on the cheek with cousins?
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
This issue has thankfully become a lot easier to navigate in the current Covid era; however, if you still find people wanting to shake your hand, then there are two ways around it.
In the case of someone like a non-mahram cousin, simply be upfront about it and inform them prior to any expected interaction taking place that, as much as you care for them, you just want to let them know that in Islam we are not allowed to touch or shake hands with the opposite gender if they are not a close blood relative like a father, brother, uncle or son. This is made clear in the authentic hadith of the Prophet PBUH: “If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle, it would be better for him than touching a woman whom he is not permitted to touch.” [al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 486]
As for those you meet in everyday life, I have found the best way is to politely place my hand on my chest and nod my head respectfully. If you happen to be female and wear the hijab, then I have found this helps the majority of people understand that you simply have religious boundaries you would like them to respect.
And Allah knows best.