Question: What can a man and woman do if it is not possible for them to see each other?
Answer: Explaining a possible option in this situation, Ṣadr-ush-Sharī’aĥ, Badr-uṭ-Ṭarīqaĥ, ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Muftī Muhammad Amjad ‘Alī A’ẓamī عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـقَـوِی wrote: If it is not possible for him to see the woman he intends to marry, as is the custom these days –if a man is interested in marrying a woman, then her family nowadays do not allow him to see her under any circumstance, i.e. they observe a more stricter veil between the two than between her and any other man – in this case, he should send a woman to see (the potential bride) so that she can return to him and describe her appearance, features etc., so that he is content with her face and appearance. (Ibid, pp. 90)
Question: Can a male doctor look at and touch a female patient?
Answer: If a female doctor is not available, then this is permissible in case of compulsion. Ṣadr-ush-Sharī’aĥ, Badr-uṭ-Ṭarīqaĥ, ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Muftī Muhammad Amjad ‘Alī A’ẓamī عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـقَـوِی says: One scenario in which it may be necessary for a man to look at a non-Maḥram woman is illness. He may need to see certain body-parts of an ill woman for treatment, in fact, he may need to touch her e.g. touching her hand to check her pulse or touching her abdominal area if there is a doubt of internal swelling, or looking at an abscess are permissible in such situations. He is allowed to look at the affected area, and if necessary, touch the area but only as much as is needed. This is permissible only when a female doctor is unavailable to perform the medical treatment; otherwise, women should be taught methods of medical treatment so that they may