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A Muslim woman may breastfeed a Christian child

17-03-2004

Question 13534

Can a Muslim woman breastfeed a Christian child? And can a Christian woman breastfeed a Muslim child? What is the Islamic ruling on this child if breastfeeding takes place?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

It is permissible for a Muslim woman to breastfeed a Christian child and it is permissible for a Christian woman to breastfeed a Muslim child, because the basic principle is that that is permitted, and there is no evidence to the contrary. Rather that is a form of kind treatment and Allaah has decreed kind treatment in all things. It is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In every living being there is reward.” 

Secondly: if breastfeeding takes place, then the Islamic ruling on each of them is not altered by this breastfeeding. Whoever was a Muslim before breastfeeding remains a Muslim afterwards and whoever was a Christian remains a Christian. 

May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. 

Breast Feeding
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