Ruling on Treatment of a Woman by a Man Due to Dire Necessity
Fatwa No: 463972

Question

medical questionSalam ,Hope you are well. I have been diagnosed with Varicose Veins to get the help I need I have to hire a trainer either male or female to help me with the veins . For the first assessment they would want me to wear tight leggings and see through top to have better view of my muscle definition . My question is am I allowed to do what they instructed ? If its for a medical reason is it ok ?

Answer

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

You are obliged to search for a woman to do this treatment, since it is impermissible to do it by a man as long as there is a woman, for she - even if a disbeliever - is given precedence over a man. But, if you find no woman, there is no harm upon you to let a man do it on condition that a Mahram or husband should be present.

Besides, you are not allowed to unveil or enable him to touch any part of your body except what is required by necessity. On that, Ash-Shirbinee in Mughni Al-Muhtaaj said, “You should know that the prohibition of lustfully looking at women and touching them is applicable when there is no need for them. However, if there is a necessity, looking and touching are permissible as in the cases of phlebotomy, cupping, or treatment. As such, it is permissible, even if at the woman’s sexual organs, due to the dire necessity. So, it is permissible for the man to treat the woman, and vice versa on condition of the existence of a Mahram or a husband.

Allah knows the best.

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