What is the Islamic ruling on pregnant women fasting?
Question:
I have two questions to ask. Firstly, I believe that it is wrong for a woman to go to a male gynecologist but can you tell me whether I am right or wrong? And secondly, what is the Islamic ruling on pregnant women fasting? Do we have to fast or does it depend on the health and safety of mother and child?
JazaakAllah.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum as Salam,
It is not permissible for a woman to go to a male gynecologist when there is a female one available.
According to the Shariah of Islam, it is totally prohibited for a female to expose herself in front of a male doctor once a female doctor is available. The same ruling will be applicable to a gynecologist. In this regard, it is mentioned in Fatawa Al Walwalaji, (a renowned book of religious verdicts), ‘when a woman (patient) is affected with a problem or a situation, and it requires treatment in such a place of her body where men are not allowed to view, then a woman will look after her. If a woman is not learnt in this field, or a woman (who can treat her) is not found, and the patient (female) fears that she will be severely affected or harmed, and there is no other person to treat her except a male, then in this case, it will be allowed for a male to look at her body and treat her. However, in this case, it is essential for him to cover her entire body and allow only that area to be visible which is necessary for him to look at in order to treat her. (Fatawa Al Walwalaji- Al Binaya vol.11 pg.155)
The Fuqaha (Jurists ) have clearly written that the allowance for a woman to visit a male doctor or expose her body to him is ONLY given when no female doctor can be found to attend to the woman.(Fatawa Mahmoodiya vol. 19 pg.242)
Fasting in Ramadhan is compulsory upon a pregnant woman. She is not absolved from this. However, if she fears for herself or her child, then she is allowed to delay the fast until she is in a state to observe it.
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan
26/6/2012