Breastfeeding in Islam

Breastfeeding is highly regarded in Islam. The Quran regards it as a sign of love between the mother and child. In Islamic law, breastfeeding creates ties of milk kinship (known as raḍāʿ or riḍāʿa (Arabic: رضاع, رضاعة) that has implications in family law. Muslims throughout the world have varied breastfeeding traditions.

Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years ~ Quran, 2.233

Quotes

Quran

Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Quran (London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1930)

• Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No-one should be charged beyond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on the (father's) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if ye wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for you, provide that ye pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what ye do.
  • Quran, sura 2, verse 233
  • Provision for breastfeeding mothers; permissibility of earlier weaning by mutual consent of both parents

• Forbidden unto you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your father's sisters, and your mother's sisters, and your brother's daughters and your sister's daughters, and your foster-mothers, and your foster-sisters, and your mothers-in-law, and your step-daughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in - but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is no sin for you (to marry their daughters) - and the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins. And (it is forbidden unto you) that ye should have two sisters together, except what hath already happened (of that nature) in the past. Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
  • Quran, sura 4, verse 23
  • Doctrine of milk kinship

• On the day when you shall see it, every woman giving suck shall quit in confusion what she suckled, and every pregnant woman shall lay down her burden, and you shall see men intoxicated, and they shall not be intoxicated but the chastisement of Allah will be severe.
  • Quran, sura 22, verse 2
  • Mothers neglecting the nursing of their children a bad sign

• And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him (one) of Our messengers.
  • Quran, sura 28, verse 7
  • Nursing of Moses

• And We had before forbidden foster-mothers for him, so she said: Shall I show you a household who will rear him for you and take care of him?
  • Quran, sura 28, verse 12
  • Nursing of Moses

• Let the women live (in iddat) in the same style as ye live, according to your means: Annoy them not, so as to restrict them. And if they carry (life in their wombs), then spend (your substance) on them untilthey deliver their burden: and if they suckle your (offspring), give them their recompense: and take mutual counsel together, according to what isjust and reasonable. And if ye find yourselves in difficulties, let another woman suckle (the child) on the (father's) behalf.
  • Quran, sura 65, verse 6
  • Fathers should be generous to wet nurses