The Ruling on Breastfeeding an Adult and Seclusion with a Woman

Question:
A man says: I have brothers who enter my wife’s presence when I am away, and she is not a mahram (a relative one may not marry) to them. Sometimes I need them to do some tasks in the house. Is there any sin on me for this? Knowing that I took milk from my wife in a cup and gave it to them five times so that they would become mahram to her. What is the ruling on this action?

Answer:
This is nonsense. Giving them milk is nonsense and does not make them mahram. Breastfeeding only establishes kinship within the first two years; it is within the first two years. It does not benefit an adult to be breastfed. This is a story that occurred during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and it was a specific case (qadiyyat 'ayn) particular to the person it happened to, with no general application. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Breastfeeding only establishes kinship from the period of weaning,” “Breastfeeding only establishes kinship from the period of weaning.” He also said: “Only that which opens the intestines and occurs before weaning establishes kinship through breastfeeding,” “occurs before weaning.” As for their entering her presence, if they are a group of more than one, there is no harm, because there is no seclusion. But if one man enters her presence alone, this is not permissible; this is seclusion. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: meaning it is the most severe. So one man should not enter her presence while she is alone in the house; this is seclusion. But if they are a group, or if there are women and a group in the house, or a family or household, there is no harm. The important thing is that there be no seclusion.