Is it permissible to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology given the hadith which states that excessive looking at 'awrah (private parts) causes forgetfulness?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
For a woman to learn and practice gynecology and obstetrics is a communal obligation (fard kifaya). It is permissible for her to look at the 'awrah (private parts) when there is a need, such as during childbirth or to ascertain virginity. As for what has been reported that looking at the grave 'awrahs causes forgetfulness or blindness, all the narrations to that effect are unsound and are fabricated (mawdu'at).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/57648
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 57648
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- . 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.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy