Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
My sister wanted to do medicine in university. She found out that you have to wear short shelves above the elbows. Due to this, she said she does not want to pursue medicine since she will be exposing her arm. What is your advice in this situation for her? Should she leave medicine all together or can she still do it because she has no choice if she wants to study medicine.
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah Institute.
Exposing the awrah/ satar (one’s nudity) in Islam is forbidden.
In most universities and work places, there is religious exemption for students and or employees under the freedom of religion policies. You should approach the human resources department and explain the religious requirement for Muslims regarding apparel and clothing. Most institutions will respect the basic human right of freedom of religion. In this manner, studying and working in the medical field is possible while also adhering to the practices of Islam. – (See: Al-Mabsūṭ, Vol 10, Page 157, Dar Al-Ma’rifah)[1]
“Tell the believing men to lower their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allāh is Acquainted with what they do. Tell the believing women to lower their gazes and also guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head-covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. Let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. Turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” – (Qurʾān 24:31)[2]
Only Allāh knows best
[1] النَّظَرَ إلَى مَوْضِعِ الْعَوْرَةِ لَا يَحِلُّ – كتاب المبسوط للسرخسي ج١٠ / ص١٥٧ دار المعرفة
[2] قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَىٰ عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – سورة النور ٣٠ و٣١