Question:

Assalamualaikum.

I had question regarding helping disabled people such as the blind. If they are going the wrong way or need help then can the opposite gender assist them?

They usually need to hold your arm to guide them.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

At the outset, there are certain rules and regulations stipulated by Shariah that are applicable in normal conditions. In the case of an emergency there may be some level of relaxation granted by Shariah.

In principle, it is absolutely impermissible for one to touch any portion of the opposite gender’s body.[1] However, if there is dire need to assist someone of the opposite gender such as described in the query, and there is nobody of the same gender available to assist, then one may do so only to the extent of the necessity.[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

(Mufti) Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman

Checked and Approved by my Esteemed Ustadh,

Mufti Husain Kadodia Saheb Hafidhahullah

Disclaimer:

The Shar’a ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.

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[1]  (إلَّا مِنْ أَجْنَبِيَّةٍ) فَلَا يَحِلُّ مَسُّ وَجْهِهَا وَكَفِّهَا وَإِنْ أَمِنَ الشَّهْوَةَ (رد المحتار، ج 6، ص 367، سعيد)

[2]  “الضرورات تبيح المحظورات” و “ما أبيح للضرورة يتقدر بقدرها”