What Is the Ruling on a Male Doctor Examining Women? - Shaikh Abd Al-Aziz Bin Baz

A question that was asked to Shaikh Abd Al-Aziz Bin Baz (رحمه الله):

What Is the Ruling on a Male Doctor Examining Women?

Question:

We are doctors who traveled abroad for study and specialization. We often face a problem when examining women there, which is that no nurse is available to assist us due to the customs of those countries. What should we do? Is it permissible? And if it was not permissible, what should we do now that we have returned to our country? Please advise us so we can clear our conscience. May Allah reward you.

Answer:

If there is a real need for a woman to be examined, then it is allowed, whether in Muslim countries or elsewhere. But the doctor must not be alone with her. Someone should be present with him, such as a nurse, a female doctor, or even a male doctor if no women are available. He must not be alone with her, because the Prophet forbade a man from being alone with a woman, and Shaytan is always present. So he may treat her and examine her, but only with someone else present, so that the soul and Shaytan do not lead him to anything forbidden.

If there is a necessity, then this is allowed, but he must not be alone with her.

If there is no necessity, then a woman should be treated by a female doctor and a man by a male doctor. Women for women and men for men. But if a situation occurs where a woman needs a male doctor because no female specialist is available, it is allowed. And if a man needs a female doctor because no male specialist is available and she has the needed expertise, it is allowed in cases of necessity. But again, without seclusion. Someone must be present, such as a nurse or attendant. If the patient is a woman, a woman should be present. If the patient is a man and no woman is available, then a man should be present. The point is that there must be no seclusion, according to what is possible.

Translated by 

Ahmad Alsalah

8 Shaʿbān 1447 AH  

27 January 2026 CE 

DetroitDawah.com

Source: binbaz.org.sa

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