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Is it permissible for a university student to disregard modern medical examination methods, which were not taught to him in his faculty, despite his knowledge that they contribute to accurately examining the patient with less discomfort? And would not applying them be considered a dereliction of duty towards the patient and an injustice to him?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It cannot be definitively stated that a physician's preference for a less precise and more bothersome treatment method is an injustice warranting accountability, even with the acknowledgment that such methods are taught in some colleges. Advising a Muslim is obligatory or highly recommended, and it is one of the hallmarks of the religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Religion is advice." Advising the patient means that the physician should use the most precise and least bothersome methods if possible, and not settle for inferior ones. The ruling on this oscillates between obligation and recommendation depending on the specific case and the extent of potential harm. This is supported by the hadith: "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not wrong him nor does he hand him over [to harm]." So, not handing him over means not abandoning him to those who would harm him or to that which would harm him; rather, he supports him and defends him.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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