What is the ruling on a woman going to a female non-Muslim doctor when a Muslim woman is available?

The questioner : Also, regarding the fact that we expose our sisters and daughters to a female non-Muslim doctor, what is the ruling in this case when a Muslim female doctor is available?

The Shaykh : Available, what?

The questioner : The Muslim female doctor.

The Shaykh : Well, I was going to tell you that the question was exactly that question, which I raised recently. But a question will come up: Why did you prefer the female non-Muslim doctor over the Muslim female doctor? If it is done carelessly, then it is forbidden and not permissible. Because the female non-Muslim doctor, in terms of the Islamic legal ruling, is like the Muslim male doctor. I do not mean the male non-Muslim; I mean the female non-Muslim. For the Muslim woman, the female non-Muslim is like the Muslim man is to her. So, the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) of the Muslim woman in relation to the female non-Muslim is like the 'awrah of the Muslim woman in relation to the Muslim man, let alone the male non-Muslim. Therefore, it is not permissible. But here it is said that if there is a dire necessity, and as we said, dire necessities permit what is prohibited, and the necessity is measured by its extent. If there is a dire necessity that justifies the Muslim woman exposing herself to the Muslim male doctor or to the female non-Muslim doctor, and both the Muslim male doctor and the female non-Muslim doctor are equal in the specialization for which the woman turns to the Muslim male doctor or to the female non-Muslim doctor, if the Muslim man and the female non-Muslim are equal in the profession, then the question arises: Is it permissible for the woman to expose herself to the Muslim male doctor or to the female non-Muslim doctor? This is the important question. As for a Muslim female doctor and a female non-Muslim doctor, the answer has already been given that the female non-Muslim doctor is considered a man in relation to the woman. But now we are saying that we have a Muslim male doctor and a female non-Muslim doctor, and neither is preferred over the other. We say here, in the context of the necessity being measured by its extent, let her expose herself to the female non-Muslim doctor; that is better than exposing herself to the Muslim male doctor. This is in the case where the examination requires seclusion. But if some of the relatives of the sick Muslim woman enter with her and the doctor examines her in the presence of her relatives who are with her, then in that case, the Muslim male doctor is better than the female non-Muslim doctor. Have you understood the detail from all aspects?

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : If Allah wills. Welcome.
The student : How are you, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh : We praise Allah and thank Him. How are you?
The student : We praise Allah. To you.

The Shaykh : Are you well?
The student : We praise Allah. We are well.

The Shaykh: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.