Is it permissible for a male doctor to expose a woman's 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) when the illness is not critical and a female doctor is available?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a male doctor to examine a woman, exposing some of her body parts or her 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered), given that this illness is not critical and a female doctor among those available can examine her?
The Shaykh : If a woman can be treated by another woman, it is not permissible for her to go to a male doctor to treat her, especially in matters involving the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered). This is because exposing the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) to someone for whom it is not permissible to see it is not allowed except out of necessity. If there is a woman who can treat this woman, then there is no need for a man in that case. It is also not permissible for a man to accept female patients for treatment in a situation where it is not permissible for him to do so, if there are other women who can perform this task. Thus, the prohibition applies from the side of the patient and from the side of the doctor. If a sick woman finds a woman who can perform what is necessary, she does not go to men. And if a male doctor has a woman patient, and there is a woman in the hospital who can perform the obligatory task, it is not permissible for him to accept female patients in this situation. However, if there is no woman available, it is permissible for the man to treat the sick woman, and it is permissible for the sick woman to go to the man, because this is a necessity.
The Shaykh : If a woman can be treated by another woman, it is not permissible for her to go to a male doctor to treat her, especially in matters involving the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered). This is because exposing the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) to someone for whom it is not permissible to see it is not allowed except out of necessity. If there is a woman who can treat this woman, then there is no need for a man in that case. It is also not permissible for a man to accept female patients for treatment in a situation where it is not permissible for him to do so, if there are other women who can perform this task. Thus, the prohibition applies from the side of the patient and from the side of the doctor. If a sick woman finds a woman who can perform what is necessary, she does not go to men. And if a male doctor has a woman patient, and there is a woman in the hospital who can perform the obligatory task, it is not permissible for him to accept female patients in this situation. However, if there is no woman available, it is permissible for the man to treat the sick woman, and it is permissible for the sick woman to go to the man, because this is a necessity.