Gender relations in the medical context Given the Islamic ethics concerning cross-gender interaction one
can understand how the medical arena may be uncomfortable for some Muslims. The challenge for providers is to understand,
and recognise when, Islamic conceptions of modesty might make patients reticent to change their dress, to expose parts of
their body, to be physically examined, or to be alone with a member of the opposite sex. It is with cognisance of these sensitivities that Islamic bioethics designates a hierarchy of physicians to see when a Muslim patient falls ill. Preference is given to a Muslim
physician of the same sex, followed by a non-Muslim of the same gender, then a Muslim physician of the opposite gender
and lastly a non-Muslim of the opposite gender. Sex is given priority over religious creed because concepts of ʿawrah and seclusion pose less of a barrier in same-sex interaction. A provider of the same faith is recommended based on the assumption that a Muslim physician would be able to advise the patient when medical treatment takes precedence over religious obligations. This assumes however that both male and female physicians with the requisite skill sets are present. If technical expertise or other social constraints impose restrictions on physician choice one is advised to follow this ethic as much as possible. Islamic law does allow for deviation from normal regulations in cases of need and emergency. In these cases the principle of aḍ-Ḍarur at tub ıḥ al-maḥḍur at , necessity makes for allowing the prohibited, is invoked. This suspension is operative as long as the necessity is resent and facilitates emergency situations.