FatwaNegeri SembilanMedicine & Health
Khidmat doula
What is the ruling on giving birth attended only by a doula, without a doctor, in order to have a natural birth, from the perspective of maqasid shariah?
Short answer
Using the services of an untrained doula is haram because it can endanger life.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Soal Jawab Agama
- Topic
- Medicine & Health
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Using the services of an untrained doula is haram because it can endanger life. A doula only provides emotional, educational and physical support, and is not qualified to handle birth emergencies. Such services must not be used without the supervision of a doctor or trained midwife. The ruling relies on the principle of preserving life (hifz al-nafs) and requires choosing a safer method of delivery.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hukum menggunakan perkhidmatan doula tidak terlatih adalah haram disisi Islam, kerana boleh membahayakan nyawa.
Read the full fatwa on the Negeri Sembilan website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department. “Khidmat doula”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/soaljawab/khidmat-doula/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-giving-birth-with-doula-only/