Muslim women being treated by male doctors
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
If a Muslim female is in need of medical treatment, then one should endeavour and try that she is treated by a female doctor, or by a male Muslim doctor who is a relative of the female. (Raddul Muhtar P.529 V.9)
However, if that is not possible then in extreme and dire situations it will be permissible for a male doctor to examine and treat a female patient.
Allahmah Ibn Abideen Shami (RA) has written in his Raddul Muhtar:
“…And for the medical treatment in that a male doctor may look at (and treat) the effected area but only to the extent of need… And it is preferable that the male doctor teaches and instructs a female to treat her, for looking at someone from the same gender is a lesser of an evil.” (P.533 V.9)
He goes on to say; “If the treatment is on her private parts; then he should teach and instruct a female to treat her. If this is not possible and it is feared that the woman patient may die or undergo unbearable pains, only then it will be permissible for a male doctor to treat her, provided her non effected parts of the body are covered and provided he keeps his gaze as low as much as possible except from the effected area.” (Ibid)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
