of the explicit wording takes precedence over the indication of implication. This may be illustrated as follows: if we say, “One suckling or two sucklings do not establish prohibition,” this is correct; even if we hold that five feedings are required, two have no effect. But if we say that three establish prohibition, we are then left with a conflict with the hadith concerning five. In that case, it is only possible to act upon Aishah’s hadith, namely that five feedings are necessary.

In response to their claim that the number five has no recognized basis in the Sacred Law, it may be said: five does have a recognized basis. The prescribed prayers are five, the awsuq are five, and the pillars of Islam are five.

Yet the question remains: what constitutes five feedings? Are they five sucklings, five breaths, or five meals?

Some say: five sucklings, based on the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “One suckling or two sucklings do not establish prohibition.” He attached the ruling to suckling. On this view, nursing may be established within three minutes: if the child suckles and swallows, then suckles and swallows, and then suckles and swallows five times, the nursing relationship is established.

Others say: rather, they are five breaths, based on the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “One mouthful or two mouthfuls do not establish prohibition.” A mouthful means placing the breast in the child’s mouth. So long as the breast remains in his mouth, even if he suckles a hundred times, it counts as one. Accordingly, if he suckles and swallows, then suckles and swallows, then suckles and swallows within a single breath, then releases the breast and returns to it, the second instance is the second feeding.

Others say: five meals, as one says five occasions of eating. There must therefore be an interval that breaks the continuity of the second from the first. As long as the child remains in the woman’s lap, it is a single feeding, just as one says: “This is a meal; this is breakfast; this is”