The following true story of recent times proves that when one makes a firm resolution to keep away from all disobedience and strive courageously towards this end (Makes Mujaahadah) then Allah subhaanahu wata’ala will open doors to create ease.

A young professional man with a good, high salary position in a big company decided to refrain from shaking hands with women colleagues and having to be alone with them in meetings. He wrote a very polite letter to all the companies he had to deal with explaining that Islam had granted women a very high status whereby they were to be treated with respect. He explained that women in Islam were jewels which only the owners touched and were kept hidden from strangers. He explained that by refusing to shake hands with them he was in fact showing them respect. He also requested that if it was necessary for him to deal with female staff then in the future he would be grateful if it could be arranged for a third person to be present (and he made this request to his own company as well). He realised that there was a possibility of losing his job however he went ahead as he was determined not to disobey Allah subhaanahu wata’ala.

Due to his sincere and firm intention Allah subhaanahu wata’ala created a means through which ease was created for him to refrain from disobedience. His own company as well as the other companies took his request on board and now make arrangements for him not to be alone with a female for meetings.

Taken from a talk by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah)