Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(27): “Ruling on Medical Students` Participating in Delivery Procedures “

Date Added : 02-11-2015

Resolution No.(27) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

“Ruling on Medical Students` Participating in Delivery Procedures“

Date: 26/6/1413 AH corresponding to 20/12/1992 AD

The Board has received the following question:

What is the ruling of Sharia as regards the participation of medical students in delivery procedures? Whereas; each ten or more would join an expert doctor in conducting this procedure and some of them may be Christians. In addition, they receive training on conducting internal examination for these women?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

After extensive discussions, the Board has agreed upon the following:

Juristic maxims stipulate the following:

Necessity knows no rules and necessity is assessed by its degree.

Necessity here refers to what is crucial to man`s life.

In line with these maxims, it is an obligation to observe the following when treating women:

A Muslim woman should be examined by a Muslim female doctor, if not possible, then by other female doctors because this involves less harm from the view point of Islamic Law. However, if the Muslim female doctor wasn`t capable of treating a certain illness, then there is no harm in referring her (sick woman) to a Muslim male doctor. If there wasn`t any, then it is permissible to refer her to a non-Muslim male doctor.

As regards teaching students of the medical school:

In principle, gynecology should be restricted to female doctors as we have mentioned earlier, and faculties of medicine are responsible for fulfilling this end. If not possible, then male doctors should make up for the shortage in this field, provided that the maxim: "Necessity is assessed by its degree” is taken into consideration.

Therefore, it is evident that exposing women to medical students in the aforementioned manner isn`t permissible since it violates the juristic maxims mentioned above. And Allah Knows Best.

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice Dr.Nooh Al-Qodaat
Mufti General of the Jordanian Armed Forces: Mhamood Shwayat
Dr. Abdassalam Al-Abbadi
Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr. Ali Al-Faqheer
Dr. Yaseen Daradkeh

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a woman to shake hands with her brother-in-law?

It is forbidden for the woman to shake hands with her brother-in-law because he isn`t a Mahram (unmarriageable) of hers.

Is it a condition for I‘tikaf to be performed in the mosque?

Yes, for I‘tikaf to be valid, it must be performed in a mosque. I‘tikaf is not valid if performed at home or elsewhere.

What is the ruling on water that contains ornamental fish — does it become impure on account of their waste?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The water in a pond containing ornamental fish is pure so long as it has not been altered, for a small amount of fish waste (rawth) is pardoned and overlooked — provided it does not change the water.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Jamal ʿalā Sharḥ al-Manhaj (Vol.1/P.178): "A small amount of hair from a non-edible animal is pardoned, as is a small amount of hair from a riding animal — on account of the hardship involved in avoiding it — and likewise a small amount of fish waste is pardoned, unless it alters the water." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on kidney dialysis while fasting in Ramadan?

Kidney dialysis breaks the fast because the dialysis fluid is nutritive, as confirmed by medical experts. Additionally, it involves the entry of substances into the body cavity (jauf).
A patient undergoing dialysis must make up for that day after Ramadan. If they are unable to do so, they must pay fidyah by feeding one needy person for each day they missed.