What is the role of the Saudi doctor in da'wah, and does he call both men and women, or only men, given the presence of ikhtilat (free mixing of men and women) in this profession?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The questioner : May Allah forgive you, O Shaykh: What is the role of the Saudi doctor, which you know, and praise be to Allah, has become numerous in this department, and among them are some of the brothers who are da'iyah (preachers). Knowing that this profession involves ikhtilat (free mixing of men and women) between women and men, and these are non-Muslims, so should the da'wah be for men and women, or for men only? And if he does not call them, would he be sinful?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for a person to call to the religion of Allah, but addressing a woman by a man, even with da'wah to Allah, may cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). So it is better that it be from the righteous nurses who call the women, and from the men who call the men, so that fitnah does not occur, because Satan flows through the son of Adam like blood. So perhaps with the addressing, Satan enters between the man and the woman. So for every occasion there is a specific speech. But if, for example, there are women gathered and a man stands and preaches to them, then there is no harm in that. But direct da'wah with a woman, we do not see that there is benefit in it. If there is benefit, it may be more harmful.
The questioner : And the nurses?
The Shaykh : The nurses, call them. But if you fear that they will be repelled, then call them one by one. You answer one, for example, you call him to your house, you serve him coffee, you make him feel at home, and you present Islam to him.
The questioner : And if he does not call them?
The Shaykh : I fear that if he does not call them while he is able to, he would sin by that. Yes.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The questioner : May Allah forgive you, O Shaykh: What is the role of the Saudi doctor, which you know, and praise be to Allah, has become numerous in this department, and among them are some of the brothers who are da'iyah (preachers). Knowing that this profession involves ikhtilat (free mixing of men and women) between women and men, and these are non-Muslims, so should the da'wah be for men and women, or for men only? And if he does not call them, would he be sinful?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for a person to call to the religion of Allah, but addressing a woman by a man, even with da'wah to Allah, may cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). So it is better that it be from the righteous nurses who call the women, and from the men who call the men, so that fitnah does not occur, because Satan flows through the son of Adam like blood. So perhaps with the addressing, Satan enters between the man and the woman. So for every occasion there is a specific speech. But if, for example, there are women gathered and a man stands and preaches to them, then there is no harm in that. But direct da'wah with a woman, we do not see that there is benefit in it. If there is benefit, it may be more harmful.
The questioner : And the nurses?
The Shaykh : The nurses, call them. But if you fear that they will be repelled, then call them one by one. You answer one, for example, you call him to your house, you serve him coffee, you make him feel at home, and you present Islam to him.
The questioner : And if he does not call them?
The Shaykh : I fear that if he does not call them while he is able to, he would sin by that. Yes.