Is It Permissible to Become a Doctor Due to Seclusion with Patients?


Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I plan to switch from studying medicine to teaching to maintain hijab and avoid being alone with non-mahram patients. My parents, who have limited Islamic knowledge, strongly oppose this, and my father gave me an ultimatum to choose him or teach. Was choosing him the right decision?

Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, choosing him was the right decision because you can do your utmost to avoid seclusion with the opposite gender and becoming a female doctor is fulfilling a communal obligation (fard kifaya).

Fard Kifaya

Professions and fields of work that the Muslim Umma urgently needs fall under fard kifaya (communal or collective obligation). If some do not undertake these roles, the entire community is considered sinful. However, if a sufficient number do, the obligation from the rest is lifted. These obligations evolve based on the community’s needs, such as the fields of medicine, engineering, industry, and others.

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“…the most beloved of people (to Allah) are the ones who are most beneficial to other people…” [Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir]

Please see more details here:

Hijab

You must make a concerted effort to maintain your hijab as much as possible. Try not to be alone in the room with a non-mahram male. Perhaps keep the door open or keep an intern with you.

Covering yourself should not be difficult as many doctors wear masks and gloves and can wear long sleeves as well. The rest of the clothing can be loose. Please see the exceptions below in the links. The services that you provide for female Muslim patients will be very highly rewarded when you do it sincerely for the sake of Allah Most High.

Dua

I recommend that you say this prophetic dua daily:

اللّهُـمَّ اكْفِـني بِحَلالِـكَ عَنْ حَـرامِـك وَأَغْنِـني بِفَضْـلِكَ عَمَّـنْ سِـواك

O Allah, suffice me with what You have permitted instead of what You have forbidden and make me independent of all others besides You. [Tirmidhi]

Please see more details here:

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied ‘aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.