I say: Its chain of transmission is authentic. Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq also corroborated them both: Muḥammad ibn al-Munkadir related it to me with this chain, adding at its end: “She said: ‘The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not shake hands with any woman among us.’” Aḥmad and al-Ḥākim (4/71) recorded it with a good chain of transmission.

It also has a supporting report from Asmāʾ bint Yazīd, in an abbreviated form. It was recorded by al-Ḥumaydī (368), Aḥmad (6/454, 459), al-Dūlābī in al-Kunā (2/128), Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr in al-Tamhīd (3/24/1), and Abū Nuʿaym in Akhbār Iṣbahān (1/293), through Shahr ibn Ḥawshab, from her. Aḥmad’s version includes: “Asmāʾ said to him, ‘Will you not uncover your hand for us, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘I do not shake hands with women.’” Shahr is weak on account of his poor retention.

This addition suggests that, when pledging allegiance, the women would take hold of his hand, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, over his garment. Other reports to this effect have been narrated, but they are all mursal reports; al-Ḥāfiẓ mentioned them in al-Fatḥ (8/488). None of them may be used as evidence, especially since they contradict reports more authentic than themselves, such as this hadith, the one that follows it, and the hadith of ʿĀʾishah concerning his acceptance of women’s pledges. She said: “No, by Allah, the hand of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never touched the hand of any woman in the pledge. He accepted their pledges only by saying: ‘I have accepted your pledge on that.’” Al-Bukhārī recorded it.

As for the statement of Umm ʿAṭiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her: