waiting period (iddah) after divorce

 Question: Some women, influenced by irreligiousness or Western civilization, do not complete the waiting period (iddah) after divorce. What is the punishment for such women in Islam?
 Answer: If a Muslim woman does not complete her waiting period (iddah) after being divorced by her husband, she is violating an important teaching of Islam. In such a situation, she should sincerely repent to Allah, otherwise she will be held accountable in the Hereafter. However, if she unintentionally or deliberately did not complete a few days of the iddah, Allah will forgive her out of His mercy, and there is no expiation (qaza) required. Once the days of iddah have passed, no expiation is necessary.
 A critical issue arises if a woman who was required to complete the iddah (three menstrual cycles) did not do so and married another man during that period. Such a marriage is haram (forbidden) and invalid. Allah's command states:
  وَلا تَعْزِمُوا عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْكِتَابُ أَجَلَهُ (البقرة: 235)
Translation: "And do not decide on the marriage contract until the decreed term reaches its end" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:235).
 Living together as such a couple is haram and considered as zina (adultery). A Muslim judge or responsible authority should separate them. The woman must first complete the remaining iddah from the first husband and then complete the iddah from the invalid marriage. Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to flog such people.

Bint-e-Hawa's Issues and Their Shariah Solutions

Bint-e-Hawa's Issues and Their Shariah Solutions
Answer by: Maqbool Ahmed Salafi
Jeddah Dawah Center, Hay Al-Salama - Saudi Arabia

*Question (1): On one hand, it is said that the most important thing is the rights of humans (Huquq-ul-Ibad). When women are cooking and serving food to men, and the call to prayer (Azan) is heard, people give more importance to others. In such cases, aren't women falling into shirk (associating partners with Allah) because Huquq-ul-Ibad is more important, and feeding people comes under Huquq-ul-Ibad?*
*Answer:* Both Huquq-Allah (rights of Allah) and Huquq-ul-Ibad are important; neither is less important. We must fulfill both as instructed in the Quran and Hadith. The prayer has a fixed time, from its start to end. Men are obligated to pray in congregation at the mosque, while women can pray at any time between the start and end as per their convenience. However, it is also better for women to pray at the start of the time like men. As for serving food to men at home, the Azan is for men to go to the mosque. Men should go to the mosque at the time of Azan, pray, and then come back to eat. During this time, women can also offer their prayers and then eat. This way, both men and women will pray on time and have no issue with eating.
If someone is extremely hungry at prayer time, they can eat before praying. Men can serve themselves; it is not necessary for women to serve the food. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to help with household chores. Eating ready-made food shouldn’t be an issue. However, one should not make it a habit to eat during prayer time; this should only be for exceptional circumstances. If a woman has to serve food out of necessity, it doesn’t imply shirk; it’s just addressing a need.
Anas bin Malik (Raziallahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"When the dinner is served, start with it before performing the Maghrib prayer, and do not hurry in finishing your meals." (Sahih Bukhari: 672)
Therefore, women should do their work during work hours, but give priority to prayers at prayer time, leave work, pray on time, and then resume work.
*Question (2): A sister asks what should be recited to blow on her child who cries a lot?*
*Answer:* The method for blowing (doing Ruqyah) on a child is the same as for adults. The same verses recited for oneself can be recited for children. There is no specific method for children. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite three Surahs (Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, and Surah Nas) for protection during illness. As narrated in Sahih Bukhari:
Aisha (RA) said, "When the Prophet (ﷺ) became sick, he would recite the Mu'awwidhat (the last three Surahs) and blow his breath over himself. When his pain became severe, I used to recite (those Surahs) and rub his hands over his body for seeking its blessings." (Sahih Bukhari: 5016)
Similarly, the sister should recite these three Surahs and blow on her child. Apart from these three Surahs, other verses from the Quran can also be recited, but specifying any particular verse or number of times to recite it is incorrect. We should follow the Prophet’s (ﷺ) method for Ruqyah. If the child cries excessively, it might be due to some physical ailment, so it’s advisable to consult a doctor and get the child treated.
*Question (3): What is the method of giving three divorces, and what is the ruling if someone gives three divorces at once?*
*Answer:* Allah has allowed a man to divorce his wife in unavoidable circumstances under a Shariah-compliant reason. However, Allah did not command men to give three divorces; it is an optional matter. A man is allowed to give up to three divorces. It is a lack of knowledge that makes people think giving three divorces at once is necessary.
The Sunnah method of giving divorce is to give only one divorce in a state of purity in which no intercourse has taken place. After giving a divorce, the wife should be kept at home (not sent away) until the waiting period (Iddah) of three menstrual cycles is over. If the husband wishes to take back his wife during the waiting period, he can do so. If the waiting period passes without taking her back, the divorce becomes final (Bain), and they are no longer married.
Although a man has the option to give three divorces, he can only give one at a time. If someone unknowingly gives more than one divorce at once, only one divorce will be counted.
To understand the option of three divorces: If a man divorces his wife once and takes her back during the waiting period, one divorce option is used up. If he divorces her a second time and takes her back during the waiting period, the second divorce option is used up. These two divorces are known as revocable divorces (Talaq Raj'i), during which Allah has commanded not to expel the wife from the house, hoping that Allah might bring about a new situation (i.e., reconciliation). This is the wisdom behind the two revocable divorces.
However, when a man gives a third divorce, it becomes an irrevocable divorce (Talaq Mughalazah), and the marriage is immediately terminated. In this case, no reconciliation is possible. The wife is free and can return to her family. After the waiting period, she can marry another man. If proof of divorce is required at the time of remarriage, the woman can obtain a fatwa from a reputable institution, which will suffice for marriage purposes.
*Question (4): A husband often buys new clothes for his mother even though she already has two or three bags full of clothes. However, almost two years after marriage, he has not yet paid his wife's dower (mahr). What is the ruling regarding such a husband?*
*Answer:* The dower (mahr) agreed upon at the time of marriage is a confirmed right of the woman. The husband should ideally pay it at the time of the marriage. If he is unable to do so, he should pay it as soon as possible after the marriage. Allah Almighty commands: "And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease."
In our society, it is common for the groom to take all the dowry he desires, which is not his right, but then delay paying the mahr for years. Such people should fear Allah and avoid wrongfully consuming others' wealth or depriving people of their rightful dues.
It should be remembered that a man who has married and not paid his wife's mahr still has a debt on him. If he dies in this state, he will be accountable to Allah in the Hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not offer the funeral prayer for someone who was in debt. Not paying the mahr is like carrying the burden of debt. Allah might forgive His rights on the Day of Judgment, but He will not forgive the rights of people, and He will hold those who violate them accountable.
A man who can buy new clothes for his mother unnecessarily can easily pay the mahr. If he does not, he is deliberately neglecting the payment of mahr. He should stop wasting money on unnecessary purchases and fulfill his obligation to pay his wife's mahr, otherwise, he will regret it later.
*Question (5): There is a hadith that says: "Do not leave the fire burning in your houses when you go to sleep" (Bukhari: 6293). In light of this hadith, does it also apply to heaters, geysers, and coils, and should these things be turned off at night? If the geyser is turned off, it will be difficult to perform ablution with cold water at Fajr.*
*Answer:* The fire that should not be left burning is the flame that could cause a fire in the house, such as in a lamp. Electrical devices like bulbs, coils, and geysers do not fall into this category as they do not have an open flame.
Imam Bukhari mentioned another hadith (6294) after the above one, where Abu Musa Al-Ashari (RA) reported that a house in Madinah burned down at night. The Prophet (ﷺ) was informed, and he said, "Fire is your enemy, so extinguish it when you go to sleep." This is why the Prophet (ﷺ) instructed to extinguish fire-prone items before sleeping.
Sometimes, electrical devices can also pose a risk, causing house fires or damage to property. Therefore, precaution should be taken with items that might pose a danger, such as heaters, coils, and candles, especially if they are not placed in safe locations. We should follow the guidelines provided by manufacturers for the safe use of electrical appliances in our homes.
*Question (6): A sister went for Umrah, and another woman told her in the Haram that if her ablution (wudu) breaks, she should use a spray bottle to perform wudu because the ablution area is far, and it is not necessary to rinse the mouth and nose as it is a Sunnah and not an obligatory part of wudu. Is wudu valid this way?*
*Answer:* Rinsing the mouth and nose is obligatory in wudu, and without it, wudu is incomplete. The same applies to ghusl (ritual bath); if one does not rinse the mouth and nose, the ghusl is invalid.
A spray bottle only sprinkles water in small amounts, which may not completely wet the limbs of wudu three times. Some parts may remain dry, so wudu will not be valid with a spray bottle. In wudu, each limb must be washed three times, and exceeding this number is against the Sunnah. Even if one manages to wash all limbs with a spray bottle but does not rinse the mouth and nose, the wudu will still be invalid because these actions are obligatory. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed rinsing the nose thoroughly, and this is considered a complete wudu.
Laqit bin Sabrah (RA) reported that he asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about wudu, and he said: "Perform wudu thoroughly, and rinse your nose vigorously unless you are fasting." (Sahih Ibn Majah: 333)
I would advise women who wish to spend as much time as possible in worship in the Haram but find it difficult to perform wudu properly to reconsider their priorities. Proper wudu is essential for the acceptance of any worship, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said that no worship is accepted without purity.
Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi Hafizahullah

Etiquettes for Women while Walking on the Road

 "Etiquettes for Women while Walking on the Road"
Written by: Respected Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi Hafizahullah, Jeddah Dawah Center, Al- Salamah, Saudi Arabia

A sister had asked a question that when a woman walks on the road, what things should she keep in mind and how should she walk, whether she should walk slowly or fast, and whether she should keep her head straight or slightly bent, and what other things should she keep in mind?
 I thought this question was very important, so I decided to collect important information related to it so that the inquirer and other Muslim sisters could benefit from it. Therefore, in the context of the aforementioned question, I will briefly mention the guidance from the Shariah in the following lines. 
When a woman decides to leave her house, she should first keep three things in mind:
(1) Allah Almighty has commanded women to stay in their homes, so women should stick to their homes and not step out of the house without necessity. When a woman needs to go out of the house, she should only go out then.
 Allah Almighty says:
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ(الاحزاب:33)
Translation: "And stay in your homes and do not display your beauty like the display of the former times of ignorance."
In this verse, Allah has commanded women to stay in their homes on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is also known that women can go out of the house if necessary, but not like the display of beauty in the days of ignorance, rather with a veil.
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to dislike women going out of the house very much. Once, Hazrat Saudah (may Allah be pleased with her) went out of the house for a need (after the command of veil was revealed), Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) recognized her due to her heavy body and said, "How are you going out?" She returned home, and the incident was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and then the revelation came, and he (peace be upon him) said:
:إِنَّهُ قَدْ أُذِنَ لَكُنَّ أَنْ تَخْرُجْنَ لِحَاجَتِكُنَّ(صحیح البخاری:4795)
Translation: "You have been given permission (by Allah) to go out to defecate."
This hadith also shows that women can go out of the house if necessary, and what that necessity can be, such as for treatment, necessary meetings, prayer, buying and selling under necessity, and performing lawful actions within the limits of Shariah, and other necessities for which there is no alternative.
Why is the woman forbidden from going out of the house without necessity? One of the main reasons is mentioned by the Prophet (ﷺ) as follows:
المرأةُ عورةٌ فإذا خرجتِ استشرفَها الشَّيطانُ(صحيح الترمذي:1173)
Translation: "A woman is a private part, when she goes out, Satan looks at her."
In another hadith, it is stated:
إنَّ المرأةَ عورةٌ ، فإذا خَرَجَتْ استَشْرَفَها الشيطانُ ، وأَقْرَبُ ما تكونُ من وجهِ ربِّها وهي في قَعْرِ بيتِها(صحيح ابن خزيمة:1685 وقال الألباني إسناده صحيح)
Translation: "A woman is a private thing, when she goes out of the house, Satan looks at her, and a woman is closest to Allah when she is in a corner of her house."
That is, the woman is a means for Satan to lead the woman and man astray, so Islam has prohibited women from going out of the house without necessity as a means of preventing sin. The woman who stays at home is safe and close to her Lord, and the woman who goes out of the house can be a cause of temptation.
(2) The second thing is that when a woman goes out of her house due to necessity, she should go out in complete hijab and veil. The previous verse of Ahzab is also evidence of this. In this verse, Allah has forbidden women from displaying their beauty and adornment while going out due to necessity. Maulana Abdul Rahman Kelani (may Allah have mercy on him) explains the meaning of 'tabarruj' under this verse, saying:
"'Tabarruj' means to show off one's beauty, physical charms, and makeup to others, especially men, and to try to attract their attention. This includes five things: (1) displaying one's physical charms, (2) displaying jewelry and ornaments, (3) displaying one's clothes, (4) walking with pride and coquetry, and (5) using perfumes that attract others' attention." (Tafseer Tayseer al-Rahman)
Also, consider this hadith, when the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered women to go out to the Eidgah, Umm Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him, "If a woman does not have a jilbab (large cloak), how can she go out?" He replied, "Her sister can lend her a cloak." (Sahih Bukhari: 324) This means that in any case, a woman should go out in complete hijab, and if she does not have hijab, she should go out in someone else's hijab.
In the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), women used to come out with their entire body covered, including their face, hands, and feet, and their clothes would drag on the ground. Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
رَخَّصَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِأُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي الذَّيْلِ شِبْرًا ثُمَّ اسْتَزَدْنَهُ فَزَادَهُنَّ شِبْرًا فَكُنَّ يُرْسِلْنَ إِلَيْنَا فَنَذْرَعُ لَهُنَّ ذِرَاعًا(ابوداؤد:4119، صححہ البانی)
 "The Prophet (ﷺ) gave permission to the mothers of the believers امہات المؤمنین (may Allah be pleased with them) to hang down a forearm's length of cloth, but they wanted more, so he gave them permission to hang down another forearm's length."
Here, by 'a forearm's length' is meant a forearm's length from the half of the calf, which the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed. See the desire for veil among the companions, they demand more veil, then the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed another forearm's length. In this way, a woman should keep her dress down two forearm's lengths from the half of the calf in front of men. Two forearm's lengths are equal to one hand, therefore Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to measure the cloth from the half of the calf to one hand.
Here, consider another hadith, a woman asks the Prophet (ﷺ), "O Messenger of Allah! Our way to the masjid is dirty and full of filth, what should we do when it rains?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Is there no better and cleaner way ahead of it?" I said, "Yes, there is." He (ﷺ) said, "Then this is the answer." (Abu Dawud: 384, Sahih al-Albani)
This hadith also proves that a woman's dress should drag on the ground while walking. And the purpose of this detailed explanation of veil is that today's women should take heed of these things and reform themselves.
(3) The third thing is that a woman should not go out wearing perfume. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
كلُّ عينٍ زانيةٌ ، والمرأةُ إذا استعطَرَت فمرَّت بالمَجلسِ ، فَهيَ كذا وَكذا. يعني زانيةً( صحيح الترمذي:2786)
Translation: "Every eye is adulterous, and when a woman passes by a gathering wearing perfume, she is like this, meaning she is an adulteress."
This hadith contains a severe warning for the woman who goes out wearing perfume. She is called an adulteress because the perfume will attract people to her, meaning she is causing them to be attracted to her. Therefore, there is a severe warning for her.
This is why a woman is allowed to come to the masjid, but if she is wearing perfume, she is not allowed to come. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
أيُّما امرأةٍ أصابت بخورًا فلا تشهدنَّ معنا العشاءَ(صحيح أبي داود:4175)
Translation: "A woman who has applied perfume should not join us to the masjid for Isha prayer."
Also, note that she should not wear anything that makes a jingling sound while walking, such as a bangle or anklet, because people will be attracted to the sound. She should not wear anything that attracts people, including attractive clothing or qualities. The Prophet (ﷺ) said about the woman who attracts and the woman who is attracted:
لَا يَدْخُلْنَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يَجِدْنَ رِيحَهَا، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا لَيُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ كَذَا وَكَذَا(مسلم:2128)
Translation: "They will not enter Paradise (Jannah), and they will not even smell its fragrance, even though its fragrance can be smelled from a great distance." ( Sahih Muslim)
While keeping these basic things in mind, a woman should pay attention to the following things while walking on the road:
- The first thing is that a woman should walk on the side of the road because the Prophet (ﷺ) has forbidden women from walking in the middle of the road. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
ليس لِلنِّساءِ وسَطُ الطَّرِيقِ( السلسلة الصحيحة:856)
Translation: "It is not right for women to walk in the middle of the road." 
- Due to vehicles , it is difficult for everyone to walk in the middle of the road, but on different roads where people walk, women should walk on the side. Abu Usaid Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
أنَّه سَمِعَ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يقولُ وهو خارِجٌ من المسجِدِ، فاختَلَطَ الرِّجالُ مع النِّساءِ في الطَّريقِ، فقال رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ للنِّساءِ: استَأخِرْنَ؛ فإنَّه ليس لَكُنَّ أنْ تَحقُقْنَ الطَّريقَ، عليكُنَّ بحافَاتِ الطَّريقِ. قال: فكانتِ المرأةُ تَلصَقُ بالجِدارِ حتى إنَّ ثَوبَها ليتعلَّقُ بالجِدارِ من لُصوقِها به(سنن ابی داؤد:5272، حسنہ البانی)
Translation: "He heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying when he came out of the masjid and people were mixed with women on the road, 'O women! Move back, it is not right for you to walk in the middle of the road, it is better for you to walk on the side of the road.' Then women started walking so close to the wall that their clothes (scarves, etc.) would get stuck in the wall."
Observe how eagerly the companions used to act upon any command that came from the Prophet (ﷺ). Subhan Allah.
- An important Islamic rule for women while walking on the road is to keep their eyes downcast. This command is given to men as well, but especially to women. Allah Almighty says:
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ(النور:31)
Translation: "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to show off their adornment except what is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests."
This verse is general for all situations, whether there are strange men or while walking on the road or traveling, a woman should keep her eyes downcast, hide her adornment, and cover her chest with a veil. In short, while walking on the road, a woman should basically follow these things.
- In the light of the mentioned verse, it is also known that a woman should not walk while looking around, glancing at everything, and paying attention to all sides, but rather walk with her head down, eyes downcast, and looking straight ahead, and only look up and pay attention when necessary. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) describes the Prophet's (ﷺ) way of walking:
اتَّبَعْتُ النبيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، وخَرَجَ لِحَاجَتِهِ، فَكانَ لا يَلْتَفِتُ، فَدَنَوْتُ منه(صحيح البخاري:155)
Translation: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out once to relieve himself. It was His (ﷺ) noble habit that He (ﷺ) would not look around while walking, so I also reached close to him, following him from behind."
And there are more ahadith that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not look around while walking, like Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
كان لا يَلْتَفِتُ ورَاءَهُ إذا مَشَى
(صحيح الجامع:4870)
Translation: "The Prophet (ﷺ) did not look back while walking." 
And in one narration, it is said:
كان إذا مَشَى لَم يلتَفِت
(صحيح الجامع :4786)
Translation: "He (ﷺ )did not look around while walking." 
If this is the condition of the Prophet (ﷺ) as a man, then a woman who is completely veiled should be even more sensitive in this matter. 
- It is forbidden for a woman to walk with a thud, i.e., to walk with a loud noise. Allah Almighty says:
وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ (النور:31)
Translation : "And do not walk with a thud so that your hidden adornment is revealed." 
In this verse, a restriction is being placed on the walk of a woman, that she should not walk by striking her feet on the ground, so that the adornment of her feet is revealed or the jingling of her anklets etc. is heard. A woman should walk in a normal gait, in which there is seriousness and dignity.
- A woman's ornament is her modesty, and this ornament should always be with her. When she leaves the house, she should walk with modesty while walking on the road, and not walk like a prostitute, with pride and coquetry. You must have read the story of the two sisters related to Musa's (علیہ السلام) journey to Madiyan, in which the arrival of one of the sisters is mentioned in a certain way:
فَجَاءَتْهُ إِحْدَاهُمَا تَمْشِي عَلَى اسْتِحْيَاءٍ(القصص:25)
 Translation: "Then one of the two women came to them, walking with modesty." 
Musa (علیہ السلام) had prayed to Allah for goodness, Allah accepted the prayer, and one of the two sisters came to Musa (علیہ السلام) with modesty and said, 
"My father is calling you so that you can pay for the water you gave to our animals."
- No one, whether a woman or a man, is allowed to walk with pride and arrogance on Allah's earth. And a woman is a delicate species, she should walk with even more humility than a man, and Allah does not like the arrogant attitude at all, so He has forbidden His servants from walking with arrogance on the earth, and as a lesson, the incident of the Bani-israeel (children of Israel) is also worth seeing. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
بيْنَما رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي في حُلَّةٍ، تُعْجِبُهُ نَفْسُهُ، مُرَجِّلٌ جُمَّتَهُ، إِذْ خَسَفَ اللَّهُ بِهِ، فَهو يَتَجَلْجَلُ إلى يَومِ القِيَامَةِ(صحيح البخاري:5789)
 Translation: "(In the children of Israel) a person was walking with a pair of shoes, with pride and arrogance, with his hair combed, when Allah Almighty buried him in the earth, now he will be tossing and turning in it until the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamah)."
- While walking on the road, a woman may pass by many people, in such a situation, is it okay for a woman to greet a strange man or for a man to greet a woman?  
Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
كُنَّا نَفْرَحُ يَومَ الجُمُعَةِ قُلتُ: ولِمَ؟ قالَ: كَانَتْ لَنَا عَجُوزٌ، تُرْسِلُ إلى بُضَاعَةَ - قالَ ابنُ مَسْلَمَةَ: نَخْلٍ بالمَدِينَةِ - فَتَأْخُذُ مِن أُصُولِ السِّلْقِ، فَتَطْرَحُهُ في قِدْرٍ، وتُكَرْكِرُ حَبَّاتٍ مِن شَعِيرٍ، فَإِذَا صَلَّيْنَا الجُمُعَةَ انْصَرَفْنَا، ونُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهَا فَتُقَدِّمُهُ إلَيْنَا، فَنَفْرَحُ مِن أجْلِهِ، وما كُنَّا نَقِيلُ ولَا نَتَغَدَّى إلَّا بَعْدَ الجُمُعَةِ(صحيح البخاري:6248)
Translation : "We used to be happy on Friday." I asked why? He said, "We had an old woman who used to go to Bada'ah." Ibn Salma said, "Bada'ah was a palm grove of Madinah." Then she used to bring back beets and put them in a pot and mix some crushed wheat (in it). When we finished the Friday prayer, we used to come to greet (Salaam) her, and she used to serve us this beetroot mixed with flour. We used to be happy on Friday for this reason, and we used to have our qailulah (mid-day meal) after Friday." 
This hadith shows that men can greet women, that's why Imam Bukhari has titled the chapter 
(بَابُ تَسْلِيمِ الرِّجَالِ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ، وَالنِّسَاءِ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ)
(Chapter: Men greeting women and women greeting men). 
The Prophet (ﷺ) also used to greet women.
Shahr bin Haushab says that Asma bint Yazid (may Allah be pleased with her) informed him:
مرَّ علينا النبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ في نسوةٍ، فسلَّم علينا( صحيح أبي داود:5204)
Translation : 'The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by us women and greeted us.' 
Umm Hani bint Abi Talib, who was the Prophet's (ﷺ) cousin sister, greeted him (on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah) despite being a non-mahram relative. (See Bukhari: 6158)
The summary of all these things is that a woman can greet a man and a man can greet a woman when there is no fear of fitnah (temptation), such as from a distance or in the presence of women and men's gatherings or in the presence of a mahram. But if there is a fear of fitnah, it is better to avoid greeting. And it should be known that greeting is not obligatory, it is a Sunnah. 
Final Word 
Allah has created women with a completely different structure and characteristics from men, so women are called the embodiment of veils, and veils should always be prominent in their lives. This veil should be reflected in their clothing, gait, dealings, and conversation. In the above lines, some important issues related to women's walking have been mentioned, and there may be more issues, but the basic things have been mentioned. Along with this, women should also know that they should not go out wearing fashionable clothes, revealing clothes, clothes of fame, and clothes of obscene women, as this will spread mischief and the woman will also be sinful. Similarly, they should not go out wearing heel sandals, laughing and joking while walking, talking loudly without necessity, walking while talking on the mobile phone, stopping and greeting unnecessarily in a crowd of people, and looking at men unnecessarily, etc. are not suitable for women. Women should not imitate men, it is a cause of curse. 
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، قَالَ:" لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمُتَشَبِّهِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ بِالنِّسَاءِ، وَالْمُتَشَبِّهَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ بِالرِّجَالِ(صحيح البخاري:5885)
Translation: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed those men who imitate women in their gait and those women who imitate men in their gait.  
Nor should a Muslim woman imitate any reprehensible or obscene thing or trait of a disbelieving or obscene woman. And it should be known that a woman can go alone for a short distance, but if she has to travel to another place, it is not permissible to travel without a mahram. Rather, even in times of necessity, a woman should not go alone to unsafe places, no matter how close they are. Nowadays, people travel even short distances by vehicle, in which case women should sit away from men in the vehicle. And it is sad to say that some women sit on motorcycles with non-mahram men, this act is not permissible. I pray to Allah Almighty to give Muslim mothers and sisters the ability to follow the religion, to adopt Islamic veils, and to move within Islamic limits. Amin.