He says that a man has a cousin’s daughter whom he wants to marry, but he suspects that this boy was breastfed by her mother, who has passed away. She mentioned that she breastfed him, but we do not know if
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The questioner : He also says that a man has a cousin’s daughter whom he wants to marry, but he suspects that this boy was breastfed by her mother, who has passed away. She mentioned that she breastfed him, but we do not know if she breastfed him in a way that would prohibit his marriage to her daughters or not. He also says that we asked the boy’s mother, and she said that she breastfed him a number of times that did not reach five. What is your opinion on this matter?
The Shaykh : Our opinion in this matter is that there is nothing wrong with his marrying her, because the number of breastfeedings is doubtful according to the wet nurse, and it is known from the boy’s mother that it was five breastfeedings, if there is any truth in the boy’s mother’s testimony.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because her testimony could be said to bring a benefit to her son, enabling him to marry this girl. However, we say that the better and safer course is to avoid this girl, because there are many other women besides her, and a person should not enter into a doubtful matter as long as he can avoid it, especially since some scholars have held that breastfeeding is prohibited in small or large amounts, even a single breastfeed. But the stronger position is that five separate breastfeedings are required. If it is less than five breastfeedings, there is no prohibition. Therefore, what we see for this man is that the safest and most cautious course is to stay away from this woman.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is safer for his conscience and more secure. Then, perhaps after he marries her and children are born to him, evidence may emerge from someone who knows that he was breastfed five times.
And there would be a break that cannot be mended.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : You have done well. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Our opinion in this matter is that there is nothing wrong with his marrying her, because the number of breastfeedings is doubtful according to the wet nurse, and it is known from the boy’s mother that it was five breastfeedings, if there is any truth in the boy’s mother’s testimony.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because her testimony could be said to bring a benefit to her son, enabling him to marry this girl. However, we say that the better and safer course is to avoid this girl, because there are many other women besides her, and a person should not enter into a doubtful matter as long as he can avoid it, especially since some scholars have held that breastfeeding is prohibited in small or large amounts, even a single breastfeed. But the stronger position is that five separate breastfeedings are required. If it is less than five breastfeedings, there is no prohibition. Therefore, what we see for this man is that the safest and most cautious course is to stay away from this woman.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is safer for his conscience and more secure. Then, perhaps after he marries her and children are born to him, evidence may emerge from someone who knows that he was breastfed five times.
And there would be a break that cannot be mended.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : You have done well. May Allah reward you.