A medical student’s observation of gynecological surgeries
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 3434 )
Q 1: I am studying gynecology and obstetrics in the Faculty of Medicine, and there are practical cases that require the student to observe them. This is necessary to pass this subject in order to advance to the next stage. This causes us problems, so we ask for your ruling on this matter.
A 1: The principle is that it is obligatory to cover the 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) for both men and women. A man's 'awrah is from the navel to the knee, and a free woman’s entire body is 'awrah except her face and hands in prayer and during ihram (the consecrated state of pilgrimage). If she is in the presence of non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) men and they see her,
she must cover her face and body, whether she is in prayer or in the ihram of Hajj (the major pilgrimage) or 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). It is permissible to uncover the 'awrah if necessity demands it, and it is permissible to look at it if the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) interest requires it. This includes students, male and female, observing women during the performance of surgeries related to gynecology and obstetrics, in order for them to obtain passing grades in this subject to advance to the next stage, and so on until the student graduates. The Shari'ah interest resulting from the ruling that this is permissible is providing a sufficient number of Muslim doctors and female doctors. If this were prohibited among Muslims, it would lead to a need for doctors and female doctors from non-Muslims, which entails a great deal of harm. The Islamic Shari'ah came to secure benefits and avert harms. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 1: I am studying gynecology and obstetrics in the Faculty of Medicine, and there are practical cases that require the student to observe them. This is necessary to pass this subject in order to advance to the next stage. This causes us problems, so we ask for your ruling on this matter.
A 1: The principle is that it is obligatory to cover the 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) for both men and women. A man's 'awrah is from the navel to the knee, and a free woman’s entire body is 'awrah except her face and hands in prayer and during ihram (the consecrated state of pilgrimage). If she is in the presence of non-mahram (a relative one may not marry) men and they see her,
she must cover her face and body, whether she is in prayer or in the ihram of Hajj (the major pilgrimage) or 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). It is permissible to uncover the 'awrah if necessity demands it, and it is permissible to look at it if the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) interest requires it. This includes students, male and female, observing women during the performance of surgeries related to gynecology and obstetrics, in order for them to obtain passing grades in this subject to advance to the next stage, and so on until the student graduates. The Shari'ah interest resulting from the ruling that this is permissible is providing a sufficient number of Muslim doctors and female doctors. If this were prohibited among Muslims, it would lead to a need for doctors and female doctors from non-Muslims, which entails a great deal of harm. The Islamic Shari'ah came to secure benefits and avert harms. 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.