In the name of Allah the most Beneficent and Merciful.

Bay’ah or taking oath from a spiritual pious Shaykh is permitted for both Men and Women. The Prophet of Allah performed this Sunnah during Hudaybiyah known as the Batur Ridwan.

However, as with all acts in Islam they have to be performed according to Shariah. It is not permissible for men to touch the hands of non Mehrum women (alamgiri). There were many occasions where the Prophet of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) would take the bay’ah of women but never has there been a report where he would touch their hand.

The ruling for a Shaykh is either to perform the Bay’ah verbally or by extending a piece of cloth between the Mureedah and himself.

The ruling for a Shaykh who does touch the hand of a non mehrum woman is that it is Haram and to continue to practice Haram falls in to the category of Fisq (wrongdoing) and no Shyakh can be an open wrongdoer.

Of course Allah knows best

[Answer provided by: Muhammad Salim Ghisa]