A foreign elderly man extended his hand to shake mine, and I hesitated and didn't know how to refuse. Out of shyness, I shook his hand and immediately regretted it because I didn't know how to act. What is the ruling on this? Am I at fault?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect them):
The fact that the man is elderly does not permit shaking hands with him, and believers should not feel embarrassed about their obligations. Your question does not indicate that the embarrassment reached a level that is typically intolerable.
May you be successful in all good.
Source:
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him): Tahrir al-Wasilah - Marriage - Some of its Etiquettes and Rulings - M20
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him): Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 3 - Rulings on Looking, Touching, and Covering - M16 + Official Website