Are doctors excused from the obligation of spending the night at Mina?

7-9-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

I work as a doctor in hospital that is located in Mecca. We provide medical service for pilgrims during the Hajj season. Are the doctors in this hospital considered like providers of water and shepherds (in terms of the permissibility of leaving spending the night in Mina)?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Doctors working in the mentioned hospital are considered like providers of water and shepherds with regards to abandoning spending the night at Mina. This is because having an excuse is the reason behind the permissibility of abandoning spending the night at Mina. It is mentioned in Mughni Al-Muhtaj:

One is excused for abandoning spending the night at Mina and is thus not liable to offer anything when he is fearful for himself or his wealth or is missing something that he seeks, like looking for a fleeing servant or exposing a patient to risk because of not caring for him, etc. People with such excuses are considered like providers of water and shepherds with regards to abandoning spending the night at Mina. (2/272)

Allaah Knows best.