Fatwaa ID: 588
Question:
Assalaamualaykum, is it permissible for a Muslim man to specialize in OB/GYN as a physician? What about specializing in surgery? There are specialities where the physician professionally needs to examine both male and female (their bodies being exposed)?
Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
It is not permissible for a Muslim man to specialize in fields that would have female patients only if there is no genuine need. It will require him to see and interact with female patients and there is no need for him to do that. There are enough adequate females pursuing such fields. Accordingly, a Muslim male physician should not specialize in OB/GYN. As for surgery, it depends, based on the principle stated above. If it is general, then he should try his best to see male patients only. If that is not possible, then he must ensure that he observes the Islamic ethics of hijaab and inter-gender interactions when dealing with the other gender. He should be mindful that Allaah Ta’aala is observant of him.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/
07/23/1444 AH – 02/14/2023 CE | AML1-7063
وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين
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