Q: A person swore by Allah that he would not shake hands with women. Then, he attended a meeting where he met female neighbors. He forgot his oath and shook hands with those women. What should he do?

A: If the case is as the questioner mentioned that he shook hands with women, out of forgetfulness, after swearing not to do this, then there is no blame on him, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error It was authentically narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Allah (Exalted be He) said in reply, "I did." It was also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, My Ummah has been pardoned for what they do by mistake or forgetfully, or under duress. If he does this in future on purpose, he should pay a Kaffarah (expiation) for breaking his oath, bearing in mind that he is not permitted, according to the Shari`ah, to shake hands with women, unless they are of his Mahrams (unmarriageable relatives) such as his mother, sister and the like.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.