Intern Doctor: Does He Work in the Obstetrics Department to Complete His Studies?
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The first and second questions of Fatwa No. ( 3507 )
Q 1: After graduation, we undergo a training period in all departments of general medicine (surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology). Praise be to Allah, I have completed all of them except the obstetrics and gynecology department. I am not at ease with this work, especially after learning about the doubts associated with it. However, the training period is only two months. After the training period (internship) ends, I will supervise a health unit in the Egyptian countryside, either alone or with another doctor, and I will practice all types of medicine. Who knows, perhaps some women will come with a serious illness or a difficult delivery, in which case their situation would be one of dire necessity, and Allah knows best. Perhaps I will be alone, or with a Christian disbeliever, or a Muslim open sinner. How can I treat them when I have not trained for these two months? I am confused and do not know which is correct. The internship period is nearing its end, and I hope you will expedite the response to this urgent matter if possible. Should I train for these two months or not?
A 1: If the situation is as you described, that you have been appointed to a health unit in the Egyptian villages, either alone, or with a disbeliever or a Muslim open sinner, then you must train in the remaining types of medicine, such as women’s diseases and obstetrics, so that you are prepared to fulfill your duty perfectly. This includes examining a woman or delivering her if dire necessity calls for it, such as when there are no female doctors to do so, and you are alone or with a disbeliever or a Muslim open sinner doctor. However, you must not be alone with her during examination and treatment, or during delivery, due to the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding that.
Q 2: As for the other branches of medicine, apart from women and childbirth, what are the conditions under which a Muslim doctor may examine a Muslim woman?
A 2: That there is no Muslim female doctor sufficient to examine and treat her, and that the one examining her is a Muslim in religion, and that he does not remain alone with her, as mentioned above. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 1: After graduation, we undergo a training period in all departments of general medicine (surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology). Praise be to Allah, I have completed all of them except the obstetrics and gynecology department. I am not at ease with this work, especially after learning about the doubts associated with it. However, the training period is only two months. After the training period (internship) ends, I will supervise a health unit in the Egyptian countryside, either alone or with another doctor, and I will practice all types of medicine. Who knows, perhaps some women will come with a serious illness or a difficult delivery, in which case their situation would be one of dire necessity, and Allah knows best. Perhaps I will be alone, or with a Christian disbeliever, or a Muslim open sinner. How can I treat them when I have not trained for these two months? I am confused and do not know which is correct. The internship period is nearing its end, and I hope you will expedite the response to this urgent matter if possible. Should I train for these two months or not?
A 1: If the situation is as you described, that you have been appointed to a health unit in the Egyptian villages, either alone, or with a disbeliever or a Muslim open sinner, then you must train in the remaining types of medicine, such as women’s diseases and obstetrics, so that you are prepared to fulfill your duty perfectly. This includes examining a woman or delivering her if dire necessity calls for it, such as when there are no female doctors to do so, and you are alone or with a disbeliever or a Muslim open sinner doctor. However, you must not be alone with her during examination and treatment, or during delivery, due to the prohibition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding that.
Q 2: As for the other branches of medicine, apart from women and childbirth, what are the conditions under which a Muslim doctor may examine a Muslim woman?
A 2: That there is no Muslim female doctor sufficient to examine and treat her, and that the one examining her is a Muslim in religion, and that he does not remain alone with her, as mentioned above. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.