Accordingly, in the schools of al-Shāfiʿī and Ahmad, a single breastfeeding does not mean a full feeding in which the child takes the breast, releases it, then takes it again and releases it, continuing until satisfied. Rather, if the child takes the breast and then releases it voluntarily, that counts as one breastfeeding, whether it satisfies him or he needs several breastfeedings to be satisfied. If he then takes the breast again, suckles, and releases it, that counts as another breastfeeding. If he releases it involuntarily and returns shortly afterwards, there is disagreement concerning this.

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

Which marriages does breastfeeding prohibit, and which does it not prohibit? What is the evidence for the hadith of ʿĀʾisha, may Allah be pleased with her:

“The same marriages are forbidden through breastfeeding as through blood kinship”?

Please explain all the marriage prohibitions it establishes. Do the scholars differ concerning this? If they do, what is the correct and stronger opinion? Does breastfeeding an older child who has not reached puberty, or one who reaches puberty, have the same ruling as breastfeeding a young infant? Some women breastfeed their children for five years, or more or less. Can breastfeeding between some of their relatives establish a marriage prohibition between a husband and wife? Please explain this thoroughly.

Answer:

Praise be to Allah. The hadith of ʿĀʾisha is authentic, its authenticity is agreed upon, and it has been universally accepted. The imams have agreed to act upon it. Its wording is:

“The same marriages are forbidden through breastfeeding as through