Breastfeeding another woman’s child, referred to in Arabic as “al-radaah” or “milk kinship”, is a topic with some debate among Islamic scholars. The Quran does not explicitly prohibit or allow this practice, so opinions are based on hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) and the broader principles of Islamic law. In this article, we will examine the evidence and arguments for and against breastfeeding another’s child in Islam.
Background on Milk Kinship in Islam
The concept of milk kinship refers to the relationship formed when a woman breastfeeds a child. According to Islamic law, this establishes a degree of mahram status between the woman and child similar to a blood relationship. This means certain restrictions are placed on contact and marriage between the woman and child when he/she reaches adulthood. The Quran states:
…And your milk-relations, brother’s and sister’s children under fosterage… (4:23)
The hadiths provide more details on this relationship:
A man said: Messenger of Allah, my wife has given birth to a black boy and I have been told that he is my son but that she has committed adultery. The Messenger of Allah said: Have you any camels? He said: Yes. He asked: What is their colour? He said: Red. He asked: Is there a grey one among them? He said: Yes. He asked: Where did it get that from? He said: It is genetic. He said: It may be that (the blackness of) this son of yours comes from genetic factors. (Sunan Abi Dawud 4693)
This hadith indicates that a child breastfed by a woman is considered mahram to her like a biological child. The relationship is formed by nursing, not just genetics.
Arguments For Allowing Breastfeeding Another’s Child
There are several arguments used by Islamic scholars to permit breastfeeding another woman’s child:
It was practiced during the Prophet’s time
There are some hadiths indicating the practice occurred among the early Muslims. In one account, the sister of Salim bin Ma’bad was married, so the Prophet instructed her sister Umm Ma’bad to breastfeed Salim to allow him to visit her home (Musnad Ahmad).
Some scholars argue this shows the Prophet approved of milk kinship even when there was no direct need for wet-nursing. Others dispute the authenticity of these hadiths or say they only applied to specific circumstances at the time.
It can facilitate interaction between unrelated men and women
Establishing milk kinship between an adult man and an unrelated woman would allow them to interact more freely as mahrams. They could be alone together, she would not need to observe hijab in front of him, he could enter her home, etc. Some scholars promote this practice to enable necessary communication for education or work while staying within Islamic rules.
Breast milk has benefits
Breast milk contains unique nutrients, antibodies, and hormones that protect babies and promote healthy development. Some argue that these benefits justify breastfeeding another’s child, especially if the mother cannot produce enough milk herself. This can prevent the need for formula which lacks these components.
It serves a child’s best interest
When a mother is unable or unwilling to breastfeed, finding another woman to nurse the child allows the baby to receive breast milk. This serves the child’s health and welfare, which is a priority in Islam. Facilitating breastfeeding ultimately benefits the vulnerable child.
Arguments Against Allowing Breastfeeding Another’s Child
However, there are also strong arguments against allowing cross-nursing or milk kinship in Islam:
It was prohibited by the Prophet
A well-known hadith states:
Allah’s Messenger forbade that a woman should be married along with her paternal aunt or with her maternal aunt or along with her brother’s daughter or along with her sister’s daughter, and that a woman should not ask that her sister be divorced in order to deprive her of what belongs to her, from the dates and other property. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5107)
Scholars who prohibit cross-nursing argue this hadith shows it was unacceptable, as marrying milk kin is forbidden just like blood relatives.
Verses in the Quran suggest restrictions
The Quran prohibits marrying foster mothers and sisters:
Prohibited to you (For marriage) are:- …Your foster mothers who gave you suck, your foster milk suckling sisters… (4:23)
If cross-nursing was allowed, this would prohibit men marrying unrelated women if they were nursed by the same woman. Some scholars say this indicates cross-nursing should be avoided.
It risks spread of disease
Sharing breast milk could transmit infections like HIV between a nursing woman and child. Critics argue this health risk makes cross-nursing irresponsible, especially when formula is available as an alternative.
Modern society lacks need for it
In the past wet nurses were common when mothers could not breastfeed. Today formula provides an alternative. Critics say cross-nursing is unnecessary in modern context and distorts the natural mother-child nursing relationship.
It introduces ambiguity into relationships
Milk kinship creates a quasi-familial connection between unrelated adults and children. Critics argue this confuses social relationships rather than clarifying boundaries as milk kinship intends. It can enable exploitation or inappropriate attachments.
Positions of Major Islamic Schools of Thought
The major madhabs differ somewhat on their stance toward cross-nursing another’s child:
Hanafi
The Hanafi school generally permits a woman breastfeeding another’s child with the father’s consent, based on hadiths showing the practice. But they prohibit breastfeeding an adult male to avoid restrictions on marriage.
Maliki
The Maliki position is that cross-nursing an infant is permissible but disliked unless urgently needed. Breastfeeding an adult male is strictly prohibited due to the prohibition on marrying milk kin.
Shafi’i
The Shafi’i view prohibits breastfeeding another’s child under all circumstances based on hadiths forbidding milk relationships between non-mahrams. They believe cross-nursing has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah.
Hanbali
According to the Hanbali school, breastfeeding another’s child is permitted only from extreme necessity, such as if the child would otherwise die. It should be avoided otherwise. They also prohibit breastfeeding adult men.
Contemporary Rulings and Practices
Modern Muslim scholars continue debating this issue, resulting in diverse rulings:
Permissible only from necessity
Some contemporary scholars rule cross-nursing is only allowed in cases of urgent need, such as preserving a child’s life. This necessity makes the practice permissible, as in the Hanbali view.
Permissible with conditions
Others argue cross-nursing can be permitted under certain safeguards, such as only within the first two years, only with the parents’ consent, providing medical testing, etc. These conditions prevent exploitation while allowing benefits.
Completely prohibited
More conservative scholars prohibit cross-nursing another’s child altogether, arguing there is no authentic basis for it in Islamic sources. They dispute claims of necessity and say alternatives like formula exist.
Alternative “milk banks”
A recent solution is establishing human milk banks where breast milk is donated, screened, and dispensed when needed without direct nursing. This eliminates cross-nursing’s negatives while providing breast milk’s benefits.
In practice today, cross-nursing is rare in Muslim communities but does occur, especially informally among relatives and close friends helping each other. Authoritative rulings generally only allow it in cases of urgent need.
Key Points of Debate
The permissibility of breastfeeding another’s child under Islamic law remains disputed due to differing perspectives on:
- The authenticity of hadiths mentioning cross-nursing during the Prophet’s time.
- The necessity, benefits, and risks of cross-nursing in modern contexts.
- Whether the child’s welfare outweighs imposition of milk kinship in specific cases.
- The proper understanding of Quranic verses relating to milk kinship.
There are reasonable arguments on both sides, leading to differing conclusions by scholars.
Conclusion
There is no definitive Islamic stance on cross-nursing or breastfeeding another woman’s child. Opinions range from permissible to prohibited based on complex evaluations of Quranic principles and hadiths. Most scholars allow it only in cases of necessity, but some permit it more broadly or prohibit it entirely. In the modern context, the practice is uncommon but does have advocates arguing for its benefits. Given the range of scholarly views, individual Muslims should exercise their best judgment on this issue while respecting Islamic ethics and priorities. As with many complex issues, there is room for varied approaches within the boundaries of sincere Islamic tradition.