Note: The Sunnah Of Shaking Hands

💌 Shaking hands with those of the same gender upon meeting them is one of the practices of the noble Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Kissing the person's cheek, whether it's done once, twice or thrice, with a handshake is only an Arabian custom in some Arab communities. What is Sunnah to do is to say the Salaam while shaking hands with a Muslim, even if you do this almost everyday at work, in the Masjid or at school. Hugging someone who isn't closely related is reasonable if they've arrived from a long trip or you haven't seen your friend in a while.

Allahu A'lam. The problem with offering colleagues and friends daily hugs is not only can it get awkward and tiring, but in certain cases too much of embracing could lead to something inappropriate or forbidden.

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, when a man among us meets his brother or friend, should he bow for him?” The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “No.” The man said, “Should he embrace him and kiss him?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “No.” The man said, “Should he shake his hand?” The Prophet said, “Yes.”
Source: Sunan Al-Tirmidhī 2728
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani

📖 Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yaman RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Verily, when the believer meets another believer, greets him with peace, and shakes his hand, the sins of them both will shed like leaves falling from a tree.”
Source: Al-Muʻjam Al-Awsaṭ 253
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: If the companions of the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam met each other, they would shake hands. If they had returned from a long journey, they would embrace each other.
Source: al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ 97
Grade: Jayyid (Very good) according to Al-Albani