Is it permissible for a woman to give birth in a non-Muslim country where the entire delivery team consists of women, while she wears the niqab, or should she use contraception until her return to her homeland?
If the concern about giving birth in non-Muslim lands is due to the midwives being non-Muslim women, then the jurists have differed regarding the Muslim woman's awrah (private parts) in front of a non-Muslim woman. The preponderant opinion is that a Muslim woman must cover her entire body from a non-Muslim woman, except for the face and hands, and this is the view of the majority. There is another opinion that does not differentiate between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman in this regard, allowing the non-Muslim woman to see the entire body of the Muslim woman except for what is between the navel and the knee. This is the view of the Hanbalis, though Imam Ahmad said: "She (the non-Muslim woman) should not look at the private parts, nor should she assist her when she gives birth." However, if a Muslim woman cannot find anyone other than a non-Muslim midwife, then there is no harm in that due to necessity. It is stated in "Al-Insaf" that it is permissible for a non-Muslim woman to be a midwife for a Muslim woman out of necessity. If you deem it appropriate to delay pregnancy for three years for this reason, there is no harm in that. As for the use of an IUD to prevent pregnancy, its ruling has been previously clarified.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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