Asalaam Wu Alaikum, I wanted to ask a question about what is allowed in Islam as it relates to female doctors and male patients. My husband recently went to a new practice to see a doctor. There was a male and female doctor present and we were there to see the male doctor. The female doctor took my husbands file even though it wasnt her file to take and there were 3 other patients waiting who were there long before my husband. They then proceeded to have a almost hour long consultation in which the male doctor saw 5 other patients and the female doctor could be heard laughing from reception while she was in consultation with my husband. When my husband came out he told me that he spent 5 minutes speaking to the doctor about his medical condition and the rest of the time was spent getting to know the doctor better. Information like she is divorced, her level of emotional intimacy with her ex husband and her interests. I got very upset with my husband because I felt that her behaviour was very inappropriate and unprofessional. Because after the consultation she still couldnt tell my husband what is wrong with him and has called him back for another consultation in 2 days time. I do not believe that I am wrong getting angry, but my husband is angry with me for being angry with him. Did I mention that she is a very attractive young muslim doctor who doesnt wear a scarf? What can I do?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that what your husband did is contrary to the teachings of the Sharee’ah. Him being in seclusion with a female doctor and talking and laughing with her without a need, all this is forbidden in the Sharee’ah and we have already clarified in many Fataawa that being in seclusion with a non-Mahram woman is forbidden and we also clarified that a female doctor should treat women and not men unless there is no male doctor who is competent in treating men, or that there is a necessity or a dire need for her to treat men, because when a female doctor treats male patients, she would touch them and see their ‘Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in Islam), and this is not permissible unless in case of necessity or dire need as we clarified in Fataawa 85492 and 123505.

Hence, you are obligated to advise your husband in a gentle and wise manner and to remind him that it is forbidden for him to transgress the Limits of Allaah. To do so, you may make use of beneficial tapes and books which clarify that it is forbidden for a man to establish an affectionate relationship with a woman outside marriage. Also, you should try your best to keep him away from that clinic where there is that female doctor.

Finally, it should be noted that it is not permissible for you to be rude to your husband, rather you have to deal with him as a husband who has all the marital rights on you.

Allaah Knows best.