Ruling on Marriage After Breastfeeding by Maternal Grandmother
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri
❖ Question:
If a maternal grandmother (nāni) acknowledges that she breastfed her grandson, is it permissible for that grandson to marry her granddaughter (nawāsī)?
❖ Answer:
If the grandmother confirms that she breastfed the boy, then raḍāʿah (foster relationship) is established.
✅ As a result, the boy cannot marry the grandmother’s granddaughter, because they are considered foster maternal uncle and niece (رضاعی ماموں بھانجی).
✿ Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿وَبَنَاتُ الْأُخْتِ﴾
(Sūrah al-Nisā’: 23)
Translation:
“…and [prohibited to you in marriage are] the daughters of your sisters…”
The word “الأُخْتِ” (sister) in this verse is general, encompassing both blood sisters and foster (raḍāʿī) sisters.
🔁 Therefore, the foster niece is also unlawful for marriage, just as the biological niece is, because:
“Any relationship that becomes unlawful through blood ties is also unlawful through breastfeeding.”
✅ Final Ruling:
- The grandson cannot marry the granddaughter of the woman who breastfed him.
- The prohibition is established by Sharʿī raḍāʿah, and the two are considered maḥram (permanently unmarriageable).
