Ruling on Marrying the Divorcee of a Foster (Adopted) Son
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri
❖ Question:
If Zayd’s adopted son drank the breast milk of Zayd’s wife, and later divorced his wife,
can Zayd marry his (foster) son’s ex-wife?
❖ Answer:
No, such a marriage is not permissible.
Since the adopted child breastfed from Zayd’s wife, he has become Zayd’s foster son (رضاعی بیٹا).
According to Islamic law:
Just as it is forbidden for a man to marry the wife of his biological son,
it is also forbidden to marry the wife (even former) of his foster son.
✿ Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿وَحَلَائِلُ أَبْنَائِكُمُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ أَصْلَابِكُمْ﴾
(Sūrah al-Nisā’, 4:23)
Translation:
“…and (forbidden to you in marriage are) the wives of your sons who are from your loins (biological sons)…”
📌 Though the verse mentions biological sons, the ruling is extended to foster sons as well, based on the principle:
“Whatever is unlawful through lineage is also unlawful through breastfeeding (raḍāʿah).”
Thus, the ex-wife of a foster son is also permanently unlawful (ḥarām) for the foster father.
✅ Final Ruling:
Zayd cannot marry the divorcee of the child who breastfed from his wife,
as that child becomes his foster son, and such a marriage is Sharʿan forbidden.
