Extracted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of Haramain. Translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
Question:
What is the ruling regarding a male doctor assisting in the delivery of a woman’s child?
Answer:
Taking a pregnant woman to the hospital for delivery should not be considered permissible in an absolute sense; it requires certain conditions:
- Consultation with a Female Doctor:
If a female doctor determines that natural childbirth is impossible, and a surgical procedure is necessary, only then can the woman be transferred to a hospital for the delivery. - Preference for a Female Doctor:
If the woman must go to a hospital, it is necessary that a female doctor attends to her delivery. If no female doctor is available, then a male doctor may assist, but only in cases of extreme necessity. - In Situations of Danger:
If the woman is in a critical condition and there is no female doctor available, it becomes obligatory for a male doctor to conduct the delivery. This ruling is based on two principles of Islamic jurisprudence:➊ “الضرورات تبيح المحظورات“
(Necessity makes prohibitions permissible.)➋ “الضرورة تقدر بقدرها“
(Necessity is to be limited to its extent.) - Home Delivery Preference:
As long as it is possible for the woman to deliver her child at home, it is not permissible for her to go to the hospital. If a midwife is unavailable, then a female doctor should be consulted. If no female doctor is available, a male doctor may attend to her as a last resort.
The fundamental ruling is that it is not permissible for a woman to leave her home except in cases of necessity, as Allah says in the Quran:
“وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ“
(Surah Al-Ahzab: 33)
“And remain in your homes and do not display yourselves like the display of the former times of ignorance.”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also said:
“قد أذن الله لكن أن تخرجن لحاجتكن“
“Indeed, Allah has allowed you (women) to go out for your needs.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 146; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2170)
