Earning as an occupational therapist
Q: I am interested in being an Occupational Therapist, and I am a Muslim male. Occupational Therapy is a female-dominated profession, with about 90 percent being females. The nature of the profession involves helping people of all ages who have disabilities regain independence so they can do things they used to do, such as work and play. In Occupational Therapy school, I will be required to touch both males and females on the arms, legs, back, and shoulders for practice. Then when I begin working I will be required to treat both male and female patients. Treating them would require contact with the opposite gender, usually on the hand, back, shoulder, and arm on a regular basis. Would this job be considered halal since I am not doing any touching involving lust, but rather for work and to make the patient better? Or would it be haram in all cases and should I find another profession? By the way, my parents really want me to do it - they are also Muslims but not very religious.