I am a Muslim physician, my job requires that I touch and interact with people to diagnose their illnesses. In some instances, I am expected to attend social functions to show affection by hugging my patients as a show of good bedside manners. Is this allowed?
It is only permissible to touch the patients as appropriate for the diagnosis of the illness. It is not permissible to socially interact with the opposite sex in such a manner for social functions or otherwise.