Friday 21 Jumada al-ula 1446 - 22 November 2024
English

Is It Prohibited to Breastfeed after 2 Years in Islam?

721

Publication : 07-03-1998

Views : 118289

Question

Is it permissible to breastfeed a child over 2 years old? Until what age does breast-feeding make the child a relative (mahram)? Are there any exceptions to this rule?

I am asking because there are many 2 year olds in our area who need families - they need to be "adopted" in the Western sense. I would like to help these children, and expand our ummah, but to avoid hardship, I hope that there is a way that they could become relatives of my son.

Summary of answer

It is permitted to breastfeed one’s own child beyond two years, but two years is enough. Allah says: "The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years…”

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Breastfeeding a child who is older than two years of age will not have the effect of making him a relative (Mahram) . It is permitted to breastfeed one’s own child beyond two years, but two years is enough, as Allah says:

"The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling . . ." [Al-Baqarah 2:233]

Please find the reply to the rest of this question in question 804 .

And Allah knows best.

Was this answer helpful?

Source: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid