A person's report of breastfeeding without knowing the number: is it acted upon?
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Fatwa No. ( 8475 )
Q: We have a daughter who was breastfed by the mother of her cousin. Her maternal uncle informed us that her cousin wants to marry her, and that her father and brothers do not know about this breastfeeding. The uncle does not know the number of breastfeedings, nor whether they were sufficient or satiating, although this happened twenty-four years ago. The marriage was suspended when we heard this news. We asked the uncle: "Do you have any knowledge of the number of breastfeedings?" He said: "I know nothing about the number of breastfeedings." There has been a delay as a result. We hope for your esteemed opinion on this matter, knowing that the mothers of both are deceased. We hope for a prompt response to this question, as the marriage is pending the answer.
A: Breastfeeding that results in prohibition is that which consists of five breastfeedings or more within the first two years. A breastfeeding is defined as: the child holding the breast and sucking milk from it until it reaches his stomach, then releasing it. If he returns to it and sucks milk from it, it is counted as a second one. If it is established that the aforementioned daughter was breastfed by the mother of the aforementioned cousin five times or more as described, it is forbidden for him to marry her, because she is her sister through breastfeeding. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:23] up to His saying: [An-Nisa 4:23] , and He said: [Al-Baqarah 2:233] , and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1937Sahih (Darussalam) It is agreed upon as authentic. It is also established from A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: "Among what was revealed in the Qur'an was: 'Ten known breastfeedings prohibit [marriage],' then it was abrogated by: 'Five known [breastfeedings].' The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away while the matter remained as such." If her breastfeeding was less than five times, or not within the two years, or is doubtful, it is permissible for him to marry her.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Q: We have a daughter who was breastfed by the mother of her cousin. Her maternal uncle informed us that her cousin wants to marry her, and that her father and brothers do not know about this breastfeeding. The uncle does not know the number of breastfeedings, nor whether they were sufficient or satiating, although this happened twenty-four years ago. The marriage was suspended when we heard this news. We asked the uncle: "Do you have any knowledge of the number of breastfeedings?" He said: "I know nothing about the number of breastfeedings." There has been a delay as a result. We hope for your esteemed opinion on this matter, knowing that the mothers of both are deceased. We hope for a prompt response to this question, as the marriage is pending the answer.
A: Breastfeeding that results in prohibition is that which consists of five breastfeedings or more within the first two years. A breastfeeding is defined as: the child holding the breast and sucking milk from it until it reaches his stomach, then releasing it. If he returns to it and sucks milk from it, it is counted as a second one. If it is established that the aforementioned daughter was breastfed by the mother of the aforementioned cousin five times or more as described, it is forbidden for him to marry her, because she is her sister through breastfeeding. Allah the Exalted said:
Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَّهَاتُكُمْ وَبَنَاتُكُمْyour sisters through nursing
وَأَخَوَاتُكُمْ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِMothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period].
وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلادَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَBreast-feeding makes unlawful (for marriages) the same things that blood tie make unlawful.
يحرم من الرضاع ما يحرم من النسبAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.