Most-asked question

Can I see a doctor of the opposite gender?

30 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Azaadville, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“As long as a Muslim woman is able to go to a female gynecologist even though the female gynecologist is Non-Muslim, it will be compulsory upon her to go there, as going to a male gynecologist with the availability of a female gynecologist is impermissible.”

Azaadville — Treatment By A Male Gynecologist · 12 Aug 2021

“It is permissible for a doctor to treat the infection of a female in the private part, particularly if treatment is required. However, she should have herself treated by a female doctor instead of a male doctor, since Muslim female doctors are easily available in our times.”

Ibn Masood — Doctor treating the infection of a female · 13 Sep 2022

“It is permissible for a male dentist to treat an adult female patient on the condition that: The areas of her ‘awrah including her hair and neck are concealed When touching her face, it is done so with gloves and not with bare hands”

AskImam — As a dentist can I treat female patients as I would have to touch their faces? · 6 Feb 2014

“The shar`ee procedure is that if there is a Muslim female doctor available then you will go to her, and if there is no female Muslim doctor then a female non-Muslim doctor.”

Mufti Online — Woman going to a female doctor · 11 Mar 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. A Woman Visiting A Male Doctor Azaadville · 29 Jul 2023
  2. Females visiting male doctors Ibn Masood · 7 May 2023
  3. Female doctor Mufti Online · 27 Jul 2022
  4. Can a woman get delivery done by male doctor AskImam · 30 Jul 2017
  5. Treatment By A Male Gynecologist Azaadville · 12 Aug 2021
  6. Doctor treating the infection of a female Ibn Masood · 13 Sep 2022
  7. Female dentist treating male patients Mufti Online · 29 Aug 2019
  8. How can we say women cannot read medicine at university when we say Muslim women must be treated by female doctors? AskImam · 16 May 2014
  9. Male doctor treating females Mufti Online · 9 Apr 2017
  10. Is plastic surgery allowed under Islamic Sharia Law. What if it is performed by a female doctor? AskImam · 21 Apr 2014
  11. Women going to male doctors Mufti Online · 13 Aug 2016
  12. As a dentist can I treat female patients as I would have to touch their faces? AskImam · 6 Feb 2014
  13. Male gynaecologist Mufti Online · 8 Oct 2012
  14. Are women allowed to wear pants in Islam? Are women allowed to go to university so that they can become lady doctors? AskImam · 2 Sep 2000
  15. Woman going to a female doctor Mufti Online · 11 Mar 2023

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