Chapter on Breastfeeding

Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

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As for women forbidden in marriage through breastfeeding, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“What is forbidden through blood relationship is also forbidden through breastfeeding.”

In another wording:

“What is forbidden through birth is also forbidden through breastfeeding.”

This is a matter of agreement among Muslim scholars; I know of no disagreement concerning it among the recognized scholars. If a child breastfeeds from a woman on five occasions within the first two years of life, before weaning, the child becomes hers by agreement of the imams. The man whose intercourse with her brought about her lactation likewise becomes the father of the breastfed child, by agreement of the renowned imams. This is called “laban al-fahl” (milk attributed to the male).

This is established by the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“For ‘Ā’ishah had been breastfed by a woman whose husband was called Abū al-Qu‘ays. His brother came seeking permission to enter her presence, but she refused to grant him permission until she asked