Yes, breastfeeding someone else's baby is permissible in Islam. However, it's crucial to understand the Shariah (Islamic law) implications.
Understanding Milk Kinship in Islam
While breastfeeding another's child is allowed, it establishes what is known as "milk kinship." This kinship creates specific legal relationships, similar to those of blood relatives. According to the provided reference:
"Although breastfeeding someone else's child is permissible in Islam, women who become milk mothers need to understand the effects in Shariah law, especially if they have established milk kinship with the infants."
Therefore, women must be aware of the legal effects they and the baby may inherit. These implications are especially relevant when considering marriage within the milk-kinship family.
Key Considerations for Breastfeeding Another Child
- Milk Kinship: When a woman breastfeeds a child, she becomes a milk mother to that child, and her family becomes related to that child through milk.
- Shariah Law: This milk relationship creates legal impediments, especially regarding who the breastfed child can and cannot marry later in life.
- Informed Decision: Milk mothers must be aware of these legal effects before breastfeeding.
- Potential Unintended Consequences: Many milk mothers are not aware of these far-reaching legal implications of creating milk kinship.
Practical Examples:
- Marriage: A child breastfed by a woman cannot marry her direct descendants (e.g., her children or grandchildren).
- Other Relationships: Milk-siblings, those who are breastfed by the same woman, have the same familial limitations on marriage as full blood siblings.
Conclusion
While breastfeeding another's baby is allowed in Islam, be mindful of the milk kinship effects according to Shariah law, especially with regard to marriage and family relationships.
