Is it permissible for a woman to deal with a male gynecologist specializing in obstetrics, when there are female doctors who are specialists and experienced, or is that reprehensible? And is it permissible to generally deal with a doctor of the opposite sex when a female doctor is available?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is forbidden for a Muslim woman to be treated by a male obstetrician if there are female doctors available, even if they are non-Muslims. This is because women's ailments require the uncovering of 'awrah (private parts), which is not permissible except in cases of necessity. Here, the necessity is absent due to the availability of specialized female doctors.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/45428
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 45428
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy