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

Does undergoing surgery under anesthesia break the fast?

Anesthesia itself does not break the fast because anesthetic gases have no physical substance (jirm), and subcutaneous anesthesia injections do not reach the body cavity (jauf). However, this is on condition that the person is conscious at some point during the fasting hours:
● If they were awake at the beginning of the day, their fast remains valid.
● If they wake up even for a moment before sunset, their fast is also valid.
However, if the surgery involves the entry of foreign substances into the body cavity, their fast is invalidated, and they must make up for that day later.

What is the ruling on I‘tikaf in Ramadan?

I‘tikaf is Sunnah in Ramadan, and it is even more emphasized in the last ten nights, in the hope of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr.

How is Laylat al-Qadr observed?

Laylat al-Qadr is observed through various acts of worship and obedience, including:
● Performing obligatory, Sunnah, and voluntary prayers
● Reciting the Quran
● Increasing remembrance (dhikr) of Allah
● Giving charity
● Performing I‘tikaf
● Inviting others to Allah
It is also Sunnah to increase in supplication and humbly beseeching Him, Glorified and Exalted be He.

Is it permissible to offer prayer at home, or should it be offered in the mosque?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.                                                                                                                                                                      It isn`t preferable for the man to pray at home as praying in the mosque is twenty seven times more rewarding. Therefore, this should motivate him to offer prayers in the mosque. And Allah Knows Best.