Guidelines for the Treatment of Women by a Physician

Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz, I have before me an issue that is frequently asked about, and it is in reality embarrassing for our Muslim brothers. That issue is the matter of the woman and the physician. What does Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz say about this topic? And what do you advise the Muslim sisters regarding this? And what do you advise the guardians? May Allah reward you with good. Our brother Mahmud Muhammad Hasan from al-Malaz, Riyadh, represents the honorable listeners in raising this issue.
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows: There is no doubt that the issue of the woman and the physician is an important one, and in truth, it is very burdensome. However, if Allah grants a woman taqwa (mindfulness of Allah) and insight, she will take precautions for herself and pay attention to this matter. She is not permitted to be alone with the physician, and the physician is not permitted to be alone with her. Orders and circulars have been issued by the authorities to prevent this.
Therefore, the woman must pay attention to this matter and seek out sufficient female physicians. If they are found, praise be to Allah, and there is no need for a male physician. If the need for a male physician arises and no female physicians are available, there is no objection to seeking examination and treatment when necessary. This is among the matters that become permissible out of necessity. However, the examination must not take place in seclusion; rather, it must be conducted in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry) or her husband, if the examination concerns a visible part such as the head, hand, or foot, or the like. If the examination concerns her 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), a woman must be present with her. This is better and more cautious. Alternatively, at least a nurse should be present, or two nurses should attend. However, if a woman other than a nurse is available to be present with her, that is preferable, more cautious, and further removed from suspicion. As for seclusion, it is never permissible. Circulars have been issued regarding this, and praise be to Allah. May Allah reward them with good.
Therefore, husbands and guardians should pay attention to this matter, and the woman should pay even more attention to it, because she is responsible for herself. She must fear Allah and beware of the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and the causes of accusation in all circumstances. But in the specific case of the physician, she must beware of being alone with him, regardless of his virtue, his trustworthiness, or the like. Yes.
The presenter: The guardians, Your Eminence, or the mahrams, what would you say to them if you would be so kind?
The Shaykh: As mentioned earlier; it is obligatory for them to pay attention to this matter and to emphasize to those responsible for physicians, such as the Minister of Health and those below him in responsibility, that they must emphasize this repeatedly. They must pay attention to this so that a physician is never alone with a woman. Rather, it is necessary that one of her women be present with her, which is more cautious. Or at least, a nurse or two nurses should be present with her, which is also more cautious, so that there is no accusation or shubhah (a doubtful matter). Because some people say that a nurse may not be sufficient, and there may be some collusion between her and the physician regarding something.
So the conclusion is: if there are two nurses or a woman from the patient's companions or friends, that is more cautious. Unless the illness is in a superficial part that the husband or the mahram can see, in which case there is no harm; the husband and the mahram are sufficient. For example, an illness in her hand, or in her foot, or in her head; in such cases, it is permissible for the mahram to see that. Yes.
The presenter: The physician, Your Eminence, if he refuses a woman who does not have a mahram or a woman with her, and she wants an examination, is he permitted to refuse the woman in this situation?
The Shaykh: Yes, it is obligatory for him to do so, unless he brings in a nurse to participate in this matter, so that seclusion does not occur. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.