the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Nothing establishes prohibition except five [feedings].” Rather, we say that five establish prohibition, as do four and three. This is a very strong objection. The response to it is from four angles:

First: it has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Nothing establishes prohibition except five feedings.” (1) This is an exclusive formulation expressed through negation and affirmation.

Second: it has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed the wife of Abu Hudhayfah to nurse Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah, five times. (2)

Third: Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, mentioned a higher number and a lower number: the higher was ten and the lower was five. Had there been a number lower than five, she would have stated it.

Fourth: the basic principle is that no marital prohibition exists. Three and four feedings are doubtful cases; therefore, the basic principle is permissibility and the absence of prohibition until prohibition is established.

The Zahiris said: No condition is required; rather, any nursing whatsoever—even a single drop—establishes prohibition, due to His saying, exalted is He: “And your mothers who nursed you.” [al-Nisa 4:23] No number is mentioned. They also cite what he ﷺ said to the wife of Abu