Question:

I am a doctor by profession, and work in hospital based medicine. Recently it has been announced that doctors will have to wear tops with arms upto their elbows leaving that below the elbow bare. I am very concerned as a female doctor, I understand this forms part of my awra. It has not been introduced as yet in my hospital, but it has been introduced in hospitals around Birmingham. I will obviously object, although I wanted to know whether Islamically I have the grounds to object or would this also come as part of necessity? (It is being done for infection control)

Answer:

If the job one does requires you to reveal your Awrah you must protest on religious grounds and the same should be done by all Muslim doctors, as this will Inshallah produce a real positive response from the NHS and who may give a dispensation. Muslim organisations should also be harnessed for this purpose.

If, however, a law does come in that makes wearing such tops mandatory then it will be obligatory to leave this work and seek work in which your Deen is not compromised. With the qualifications of a doctor the earth of Allah taala is open to you.

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.