عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ مَا يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الْوِلاَدَةِ " .
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
"What becomes unlawful through breastfeeding is that which becomes unlawful through birth."
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. One of the most beautiful aspects of the Sunnah is how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clarified matters that touch the most intimate parts of human life—family, love, and care. Among these teachings is his statement, narrated by ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “Suckling makes unlawful what blood relations make unlawful.” At first glance, this may seem like a legal technicality, but in truth, it is a teaching filled with wisdom about the sanctity of family, the preservation of lineage, and the bonds of mercy that extend beyond blood.
When a woman breastfeeds a child who is not biologically her own, she becomes his foster mother, her husband becomes his foster father, and her children become his foster siblings. The Prophet ﷺ explained that the same restrictions which apply to blood relatives apply here too: just as one cannot marry one’s mother, sister, or aunt by birth, one cannot marry these same relations established through milk. By this simple but far-reaching principle, Islam places breastfeeding at the heart of family formation, not only as nourishment for the body but as a bond that restructures social life.
The Qur’an lays the groundwork for this principle when Allah ﷻ says: “Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing” (al-Baqarah 2:233).
This verse highlights the natural right of a child to be nourished by its mother, but it also sets the time frame within which suckling carries legal consequences. From this, scholars understood that the bond of raḍāʿah is only established if the breastfeeding occurs before the child reaches two years of age.
In addition, other narrations clarify that the suckling must take place at least five separate times for the foster relationship to take effect. Once that is established, the prohibition spreads widely. The foster mother becomes like one’s mother, her husband like a father, her children like siblings, and her siblings and parents like extended family. The web of kinship created through milk mirrors the web of kinship created by blood.
There is one unique case often discussed: that of Sālim, the freed slave of Abū Ḥudhayfah. Because he was raised in their household, yet not related to them, the Prophet ﷺ permitted Abū Ḥudhayfah’s wife to breastfeed him so that he could remain in the family without causing difficulty. However, scholars agree that this was a specific concession for that family, not a general rule. The consensus is clear: suckling establishes kinship only in infancy, not adulthood. This distinction shows the balance between universal law and particular mercy in the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance.
The wisdom of this hadith unfolds on many levels.
First, it protects lineage and removes uncertainty. In households where children grow up together, especially in extended families or when fostering orphans, it prevents the possibility of accidental intimacy or unlawful marriage later in life.
Second, it expands the circle of family. Through raḍāʿah, bonds of love and mercy are formed that transcend blood, reminding us that kinship is not only about biology but also about shared care, nourishment, and compassion. A child who is breastfed becomes part of a larger family, and with that comes both affection and rights. Third, it gives clarity in matters of modesty. Knowing who counts as a maḥram helps women observe hijab properly and avoids confusion in close-knit communities.
This teaching also has striking relevance today. In many societies, adoption and foster care are vital avenues of mercy for children who need homes. Islam strongly encourages caring for orphans and children in need, but it also insists on preserving their true lineage.
The Qur’an commands: “Call them by [the names of] their fathers; that is more just in the sight of Allah” (al-Aḥzāb 33:5).
Through raḍāʿah, foster parents can establish a genuine maḥram relationship with a child, ensuring both integration into the family and adherence to divine guidance. At the same time, it calls for caution in modern practices such as milk banks or anonymous cross-nursing, since each act of breastfeeding has lifelong implications. Families need to keep records and exercise care so that future generations do not fall into unknowing violations.
Beyond the legal details, this hadith reminds us of the depth of divine wisdom in the smallest aspects of life. Something as ordinary as feeding a baby is elevated into an act that shapes family identity and preserves the moral fabric of society. It demonstrates that Islam is not merely concerned with acts of worship in the mosque but with the tender and hidden moments in the home. Every drop of milk becomes a means of bonding hearts, every act of nurturing a child becomes a part of divine law, and every relationship formed through it is given dignity and permanence.
In a world where family ties are increasingly fragile, where relationships are reduced to convenience, and where identity is often blurred, this teaching stands as a safeguard. It tells us that family is sacred, that bonds are not to be taken lightly, and that mercy and clarity go hand in hand. When the Prophet ﷺ declared, “Suckling makes unlawful what blood relations make unlawful,” he was not only giving a legal ruling—he was weaving mercy into the fabric of society. He was showing us that kinship is not confined to the womb, but can also be written through milk, care, and love.
Disclaimer:
Instructor: Sheikh Dr. Sajid Umar | STEPS TO JANNAH S4 | Forty Hadith Imam Nawawi
These are notes sharing from the Steps of Jannah classes online taught by Sheikh Dr Sajid Umar focusing on Hadith 40 an-Nawawi. The classes are still ongoing, every Monday 8pm UK time. If you would like to join, please email stepstojannah12@gmail.com
The notes written are from a student’s personal notes transcribed from the sessions. Should there be any error, May Allah forgive us, and do feedback (ain1810@gmail.com) so that it can get amended, and may it be beneficial to all of us and may Allah reward Jannah to Sh Sajid and his team for the beneficial ‘ilm being shared and to all of the students Steps to Jannah, Ameen.