Childbirth in a hospital

Question

At the birth of the first child of Hinda, Zayd’s wife, Zayd arranged the delivery at home, but the child would not be born in any way; out of necessity she had to be taken to hospital, and the child was born by means of an operation. In the hospital there is no arrangement whatsoever for hijab (the screening of women from non-mahram men). The time of the second child’s birth is near, and making the arrangement at home carries a danger to life. What should Zayd do in such a situation?

Answer

When life itself is at stake, this lack of hijab is due to extreme compulsion; it is neither by choice nor willingly. Allah the Pure knows full well the compulsions of His servants.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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