Can Muslim Women Pursue a Career in Midwifery?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to pursue midwifery if it involves seeing ‘awra and dealing with abortions, and how should I choose a career path that pleases Allah?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It is permissible to work only on the private areas of others when necessary; only the areas that require exposure should be revealed, and female caregivers and nurses should tend to and care for female patients as much as possible.

Regarding abortions, one should try to avoid them whenever possible. If one assists, the patient is ultimately responsible; she alone bears the consequences of her choices.

Assistance in Sin

In the Hanafi School, this has levels:

1. It is haram to do that which is a direct cause for sin;
2. It is disliked to do that which is an indirect cause for sin;
3. It is better to avoid that which could be a cause for sin. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Zayla‘i, Tabyin al-Haqa’iq; Ibn al-Humam, Fath al-Qadir, Sharh al-Hidaya]

Midwifery

Midwifery is one of the most important paths for a female, a communal obligation, and one that can lead to pleasing Allah Most High.

The Best People are Those Who Benefit Others

Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“The believer is friendly and befriended, for there is no goodness in one who is neither friendly nor befriended. The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.” [Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat]

Keep the following intentions in mind. Also, read through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.

• To fulfill a communal obligation for the sake of Allah Most High
• To gain self-sufficiency and earn a halal income
• To fulfill any duties to one’s dependents through a lawful income
• To give charity to the poor through earnings
• To help ease the financial burden of the family or any other person when needed
• To help and care for those who are weak and sick and in need
• To alleviate the suffering of Allah’s creation
• To be patient with people and tolerant, and to be in the service of Allah’s creation.
• To bring health and happiness to the lives of others so that they can turn to Allah
• To show exemplary character in your behavior and work so that people have a good opinion of the religion and Muslims in general
• To use the intellect, skills, and physical ability that Allah has given you to help others for His sake
• To get closer to Allah Most High through your work and earn His Pleasure
• To uphold religious observances while engaged and struggling with worldly duties. [Habib Muhammad ibn ʿAlawi al-ʿAydarus, The Book of Intention]

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

Related

• Midwife Archives
• Nurse Archives
• The Blessing of a Muslim Doula
• Tag Archive for: Pregnancy
• Is there an Opinion that a Woman Can Reveal Her Forearms? – SeekersGuidance
• Are Muslim Female Nurses Allowed to Work and Do Personal Care Support? – SeekersGuidance
• Covering Nakedness Archives – SeekersGuidance
• A Reader On Gender Interaction – SeekersGuidance
• Reader on Modesty in Islam – SeekersGuidance

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.