The Ruling on a Male Doctor Treating a Woman
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: What is the opinion of His Eminence the Shaykh regarding a matter that is frequently asked about and is embarrassing for Muslims? The matter is that of the woman and the doctor. What do you advise the Muslim sisters regarding this, as well as the guardians?
A: There is no doubt that the matter of the woman and the doctor is an important issue, and in reality, it is very difficult. 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 doctor, and the doctor is not permitted to be alone with her. Orders and directives have been issued by the authorities to prevent this. Therefore, the woman should pay attention to this matter and seek out sufficient female doctors. If they are found, praise be to Allah, and there is no need for a male doctor.
If the need for a male doctor arises due to the absence of female doctors, there is no objection to seeking examination and treatment when necessary, as this is among the matters that become permissible out of necessity. However, the examination must not be conducted in seclusion; rather, it must be done in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry) or her husband, if the examination is for an apparent matter such as the head, hand, foot, or the like.
If the examination is for the 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), it should be done in the presence of her husband, if she has one, or a woman. This is better and more cautious. Alternatively, a nurse or two nurses should be present. However, if a woman other than a nurse is available to be with her, that is preferable, more cautious, and further from suspicion. As for seclusion, it is not permissible.
A: There is no doubt that the matter of the woman and the doctor is an important issue, and in reality, it is very difficult. 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 doctor, and the doctor is not permitted to be alone with her. Orders and directives have been issued by the authorities to prevent this. Therefore, the woman should pay attention to this matter and seek out sufficient female doctors. If they are found, praise be to Allah, and there is no need for a male doctor.
If the need for a male doctor arises due to the absence of female doctors, there is no objection to seeking examination and treatment when necessary, as this is among the matters that become permissible out of necessity. However, the examination must not be conducted in seclusion; rather, it must be done in the presence of her mahram (a relative one may not marry) or her husband, if the examination is for an apparent matter such as the head, hand, foot, or the like.
If the examination is for the 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), it should be done in the presence of her husband, if she has one, or a woman. This is better and more cautious. Alternatively, a nurse or two nurses should be present. However, if a woman other than a nurse is available to be with her, that is preferable, more cautious, and further from suspicion. As for seclusion, it is not permissible.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.