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The Muslim woman officer refused to shake hands with the Metropolitan police chief on religious grounds.

It happened when Sir Ian inspected 200 recruits at a passing out parade.

The Met says the officer puts the job's requirements above her personal beliefs, which she only exercises where there is a choice.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6284231.stm
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now honnestly, whats wrong with this picture?...are muslims playing right into the hands of those who are looking for any excuse to vilify the muslim community in the UK, who if i may add, got enough vicious and defamatory statements to last them a life time?.

are we trying to streach the religious "right" to the extreme or is this just standing up for muslims rights?

i think that we are trying to streach the religious "right

this is not the way for standing up for muslims rights dont be suprised if they insult our prohpets and the quran tommorow. and than can we scream screw the kufaars and show the world that islam is a (peacefull religion) nobody is to blaim except muslims

doesnt realy need thinking over does it?

Listen, I don't agree all this Muslims in Europe who want to wear the "indhashareer" even though its not required!

or in this case -apply for a police job and refuses to shake hands with the chief.

If u already become a police officer as woman --u shouldn't worry about shaking hands with people ---u are suppose to give mouth to mouth to dying person!

so I think they overreacting!

Muslims are big on symbolisms(method of greetings, segergation of the sexes, hijaab, niqaab etc.), and disregard or ignore the substance of the religion: note human rights records in muslim countries, the fraud and cheating by maryooley in host countries, behaviours of certain somalinet members, and many many other examples that are done by muslims but ARE contrary to Islamic teachings.

Muslims love the symbolism of religion to show off and score points against the other non-muslims.

niya

couldnt have said it better. except the the bit about somalineters...

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “It is better for one of you to be pierced by a steel nail through in his head than to touch the hand of a strange woman.” [Al-Mundhirī mentions that all the narrators of this hadīth are trustworthy. Al-Albānī classifies it as a good hadīth in Ghāyah al-Marām (no. 403).]



QUESTION: Many brothers ask by email about the issue of shaking hands with women in professional settings where, they say, not doing so would harm or impede their ability to function. They may not get hired, promoted, or accepted in professional areas (such as law) where Muslim presence is essential. I checked what some major contemporary traditional fuqaha, such as Shaykh Taqi Usmani and some of my teachers in Damascus, had to say, and they are very firm on this point. But the brothers who asked are saying that such answers belie a lack of understanding of "Western realities." They are saying that it is not possible to function in professional Western work environments without shaking hands with women. What would you answer and advise about this issue, Sayyidi?

ANSWER:

Assalamu alaykum

In the name of the Inspirer of truth.

No, it is not permissible to shake hands with women at all. There are many reports from the Prophet Sallallahi alayhi wasallam that he never shook the hands of any women, despite his status as a Prophet. All the allegiance [bay'a] he took was either without holding the hand or with a cloth tied around it. He explicitly informed the women when they extended their hands to him that he did not shake hands with women. [See Muhammad Ibn Sa'd, The Women in Madina, Chapter One: The manner in which the Messenger of Allah received women's allegiance]

Hence, we can find no leeway to change this ruling. Many non-Islamic practices are rife in the business and corporate world. We are constantly asked about the permissibility of sitting at the same table with a client where alcohol is served; the permissibility of holding private meetings with women behind closed doors without any third person in the room, performing Zuhr instead of Jumu'ah if one is occupied in a meeting at the time of the Khutbah; shedding the hijab to seek employment; shaving the beard for such purposes and so on; not to mention usury and interest bearing loans. The list is endless. So, how does a person want to assimilate, and sell his hereafter for this transient world.

Yes, certain "fatwas" are to be found on these issues from so called scholars. Much of the religion has already been compromised in a such a way. We are aware of a Masjid in a city in California where "Islamic Dating" is promoted. Their practice is backed by seemingly convincing logical arguments which sounds very attractive, but how far can the matter be taken, and how much of the religion will remain if this course continues to be followed?

No body said it was easy to follow the din in the twenty-first century; whether one is in a Muslim country or the West. Didn't the Prophet Sallalahu alayhi wasallam say that a time will come when a person following his religion will be like one holding on to a cinder, and did he not say this world is a prison for a believer and a Paradise for the non-believer. One must remember that through perseverance and refraining from sin [sabr ani 'l-ma'siyah] there are great rewards to be gained, despite the apparent monetary or such losses one may have to incur in this world.

The regular American [since the issue of shaking hands with a women is a greater problem in America] is normally very understanding and accommodating of other people's religious requirements. If politely informed, they normally act with understanding and are prepared to be more accommodating.

If the scholars begin to offer discretion and allowance on certain issues which are rigid in the Shari'a under the excuse of changing times, then how will the original rulings in those issues ever be revived? The sunna and proper practices will be lost for ever and innovations will take their place. Those who attempt to adhere to the correct rulings of Shari'ah in these issues would feel isolated and weak.

Therefore, it must be made clear that the traditional jurists [muftis] who are not able to give discretions in such issues is not due to some short-sightedness or ignorance. It is merely to keep the religion intact and whole. Yes, if someone in certain situations is forced to act contrary to the sunna then that is a personal problem in which tawba [repentance] should be made.

Whoever fears Allah, Allah will make a way out for them.

And He knows best.

Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf

^^^^^^^

"Shaykh Taqi Usmani and some of my teachers in Damascus, had to say, and they are very firm on this point."

sheikh taqi usmani is a pious muslim who lives in an arab country and maybe his wife and daughters are not allowed to work, and wouldnt allow them to work as policewomen. read the story, this woman joins the british police force, willing to arrest muslim terrorists, spy on them and this is the oath she promised to uphold when she joined the police.

"The Met says the officer puts the job's requirements above her personal beliefs, which she only exercises where there is a choice."

she should have stayed at home or got another job where she is not required or expected to shake hands. how would she arrest criminals without touchimg them?

biko, this woman is stupid.

They should fire her dumb a$$ or at least suspend her until she gets her brain-dead act together

Biko

She has a right not to shake the Commissioner's hands. But the concept is stupid.

Does she think she is so beautiful that the commissioner will get aroused by merely shaking her hand?

Look I am at around the same sort of age as the Commissioner and I can assure you it will take more than a handshake from a Pakistani chick for me to sing the national anthem in falsetto.

Now if she were a gorgeous Black woman with mounds and hips and curves and shakes..then..who knows..

The issue is simple: When I join an orgnization, I submit my will to the will of the organization. If I am not ready to do that, then I should not join the organization. I can not join an organization and then refuse to submit to its norms.

Taken to extreme, a Muslim woman could apply for a job as a stripper. THEN, after gaining employment, refuse to strip because it's against her religious beliefs. Or taken to less extremes, she could apply for a job as a waitress, then refuse to serve alcohol to customers because it is against her religious beliefs.

OR, if we flip things around, I could join a Muslim association, then refuse to pray when everyone else is doing so, blaspheme Mohammed when someone was talking about him, or bring my mini-skirt wearing girlfriend to a meeting and play grab a$$ with her while kissing her all the time. Or during Ramadan show up for a mid-day meeting and prayer session munching some Falafel.

You get the point. When you move into an organization, and then refuse to submit to the cultural norms of that organization, you are sort of saying "fock you all" to the members. That is never going to be taken to kindly.

Yeah. 100% agree. If she is not going to shake hands with people, why does she want to be a policewoman? That's oxymoron. I have a muslim friend and she's a policewoman here: she never hesitated on going to the gym, shaking hands or obbeying orders. She does what she's told. And period. She's a proud muslim, but she understands the nature of her job.

I also find weird that this British girl refuses to shake hands but she doesn't wear hijab...???

I think she wants to make a little fuss of it...

[quote="MAD MAC"]The issue is simple: When I join an orgnization, I submit my will to the will of the organization. If I am not ready to do that, then I should not join the organization. I can not join an organization and then refuse to submit to its norms.

Taken to extreme, a Muslim woman could apply for a job as a stripper. THEN, after gaining employment, refuse to strip because it's against her religious beliefs. Or taken to less extremes, she could apply for a job as a waitress, then refuse to serve alcohol to customers because it is against her religious beliefs.

OR, if we flip things around, I could join a Muslim association, then refuse to pray when everyone else is doing so, blaspheme Mohammed when someone was talking about him, or bring my mini-skirt wearing girlfriend to a meeting and play grab a$$ with her while kissing her all the time. Or during Ramadan show up for a mid-day meeting and prayer session munching some Falafel.

You get the point. When you move into an organization, and then refuse to submit to the cultural norms of that organization, you are sort of saying "fock you all" to the members. That is never going to be taken to kindly.[/quote]

it's simple as that.

It's not that simple. Shaking hands with the chief is not an absolutely required part of the woman's role as a police officer. It would be stupid if she refused to arrest a criminal or something (which would parallel Mad Mac's analogies), but she's merely forgoing a social (not practical) aspect of her job. But it does raise issues about what else may crop up later that she will refuse to do. At the end it's really detrimental to her career, but people shouldn't demonize her for at least trying to take an active role in her community, instead of constantly complaining about discrimination and anti-Muslim bias.

What would happen if she were to... wear a Raspberry Beret...you know, the kind you find in a second-hand store......I mean surely..... if it was warm, she wouldnt wear much more....... and everyone would be happy