سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 233
۞ وَٱلْوَٰلِدَٰتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَـٰدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ ٱلرَّضَاعَةَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلْمَوْلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةٌۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذَٰلِكَ ۗ فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا ۗ وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن تَسْتَرْضِعُوٓا۟ أَوْلَـٰدَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُم مَّآ ءَاتَيْتُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ﴿233﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling, but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child. And on the (father’s) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them. And if you decide on a foster suckling-mother for your children, there is no sin on you, provided you pay (the mother) what you agreed (to give her) on reasonable basis. And fear Allâh and know that Allâh is All-Seer of what you do.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَٱلْوَٰلِدَٰتُ
wal-wālidātu
And the mothers
يُرْضِعْنَ
yur'ḍiʿ'na
shall suckle
أَوْلَـٰدَهُنَّ
awlādahunna
their children
حَوْلَيْنِ
ḥawlayni
(for) two years
كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ
kāmilayni
complete
لِمَنْ
liman
for whoever
أَرَادَ
arāda
wishes
أَن
an
to
يُتِمَّ
yutimma
complete
ٱلرَّضَاعَةَ ۚ
l-raḍāʿata
the suckling
وَعَلَى
waʿalā
And upon
ٱلْمَوْلُودِ
l-mawlūdi
the father
لَهُۥ
lahu
(on) him
رِزْقُهُنَّ
riz'quhunna
(is) their provision
وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ
wakis'watuhunna
and their clothing
بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ
bil-maʿrūfi
in a fair manner
لَا
lā
Not
تُكَلَّفُ
tukallafu
is burdened
نَفْسٌ
nafsun
any soul
إِلَّا
illā
except
وُسْعَهَا ۚ
wus'ʿahā
its capacity
لَا
lā
Not
تُضَآرَّ
tuḍārra
made to suffer
وَٰلِدَةٌۢ
wālidatun
(the) mother
بِوَلَدِهَا
biwaladihā
because of her child
وَلَا
walā
and not
مَوْلُودٌۭ
mawlūdun
(the) father
لَّهُۥ
lahu
(be)
بِوَلَدِهِۦ ۚ
biwaladihi
because of his child
وَعَلَى
waʿalā
And on
ٱلْوَارِثِ
l-wārithi
the (father's) heir
مِثْلُ
mith'lu
(is a duty) like
ذَٰلِكَ ۗ
dhālika
that (of the father)
فَإِنْ
fa-in
Then if
أَرَادَا
arādā
they both desire
فِصَالًا
fiṣālan
weaning
عَن
ʿan
through
تَرَاضٍۢ
tarāḍin
mutual consent
مِّنْهُمَا
min'humā
of both of them
وَتَشَاوُرٍۢ
watashāwurin
and consultation
فَلَا
falā
then no
جُنَاحَ
junāḥa
blame
عَلَيْهِمَا ۗ
ʿalayhimā
on both of them
وَإِنْ
wa-in
And if
أَرَدتُّمْ
aradttum
you want
أَن
an
to
تَسْتَرْضِعُوٓا۟
tastarḍiʿū
ask another women to suckle
أَوْلَـٰدَكُمْ
awlādakum
your child
فَلَا
falā
then (there is) no
جُنَاحَ
junāḥa
blame
عَلَيْكُمْ
ʿalaykum
on you
إِذَا
idhā
when
سَلَّمْتُم
sallamtum
you pay
مَّآ
mā
what
ءَاتَيْتُم
ātaytum
you give
بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ
bil-maʿrūfi
in a fair manner
وَٱتَّقُوا۟
wa-ittaqū
And fear
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟
wa-iʿ'lamū
and know
أَنَّ
anna
that
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
بِمَا
bimā
of what
تَعْمَلُونَ
taʿmalūna
you do
بَصِيرٌۭ
baṣīrun
(is) All-Seer
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
233. Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two complete years [317] for those who wish to complete the nursing period. And the father of the child is responsible for their food and clothing in a fair manner [318]. No one should be burdened beyond their capacity [319]. Neither should a mother be harmed because of her child, nor should a father be harmed because of his child [320]. And if the father dies, the same responsibility [322] falls upon the heir. If both parents decide, by mutual consent and consultation [323], to wean the child before two years, there is no sin upon them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a wet nurse, there is no blame upon you, provided you pay the compensation you have agreed upon [324] in a fair manner. And fear Allah [325] and know that Allah is Seeing of whatever you do.
[317] The term "mothers" here includes those women who have been divorced, whether they are still in their waiting period (‘iddah) or their ‘iddah has ended, as well as those who remain married to the child's father.
[318] From this, it is understood that the maximum duration of breastfeeding is two years. However, it can be less than this as needed (as will be mentioned ahead), and this period will be counted according to the lunar calendar [مزيد تفصيل سورة لقمان كي آيت نمبر 14 پر حاشيه 18 ميں ديكهئے].
[319] That is, the responsibility for food and clothing of a married woman and a divorced woman who is in her ‘iddah already lies with the child's father, and if the ‘iddah has ended, then according to this verse, the father will still be responsible for the expenses of this divorced woman because she is breastfeeding his child.
[320] That is, the father should not be asked for food and clothing expenses beyond his means, whether this demand is made by the woman herself or by her heirs.
[321] That is, the mother should not refuse to breastfeed without reason and cause distress to the father. Similarly, the father should not separate the child from the mother and have someone else breastfeed the child, thereby causing distress to the mother, or show stinginess in providing her food and clothing expenses. Nor should the mother be forced to breastfeed if she is not willing.
[322] This child who is being breastfed is himself an heir of his father, and there may be other heirs as well. In any case, these expenses will be paid collectively from the deceased's estate, and those who are ‘asabah (the closest male heirs of the deceased) will pay them.
[323]
The Maximum Duration of Breastfeeding:
That is, if both parents, by mutual consultation, wish to wean the child before two years—for example, if the mother's milk is not good and the child's health remains poor, or if the mother is still married to the father, it may also happen that she becomes pregnant during this period and needs to wean the child—then in such cases, there is no sin upon them, and it is not necessary for the child to be breastfed for the full two years.
[324] One meaning is as written in the translation, and another is that if you wish to have a wet nurse breastfeed the child, then you must pay her compensation. However, whatever agreed-upon expenses the mother was receiving should also be paid to her, and there should be no reduction in this.
[325]
Imbalances in Good Social Conduct:
There are countless rulings which, after being stated, Allah Almighty has emphasized "being mindful of Allah." The reason for this is that in the world of dealings, countless forms of a single matter can arise, in which a person, while adhering to the apparent words of Allah's command, may devise a benefit for himself that goes against the divine intent. As a result, another person may suffer loss or be caused distress. It is difficult to state a separate ruling for every such situation that may arise, and it is also contrary to Allah's wisdom. Therefore, the emphasis on being mindful of Allah is given so that a person keeps his intention correct and, with the awareness of being answerable to Allah in the Hereafter, carries out these rulings exactly as Allah intends.
[317] The term "mothers" here includes those women who have been divorced, whether they are still in their waiting period (‘iddah) or their ‘iddah has ended, as well as those who remain married to the child's father.
[318] From this, it is understood that the maximum duration of breastfeeding is two years. However, it can be less than this as needed (as will be mentioned ahead), and this period will be counted according to the lunar calendar [مزيد تفصيل سورة لقمان كي آيت نمبر 14 پر حاشيه 18 ميں ديكهئے].
[319] That is, the responsibility for food and clothing of a married woman and a divorced woman who is in her ‘iddah already lies with the child's father, and if the ‘iddah has ended, then according to this verse, the father will still be responsible for the expenses of this divorced woman because she is breastfeeding his child.
[320] That is, the father should not be asked for food and clothing expenses beyond his means, whether this demand is made by the woman herself or by her heirs.
[321] That is, the mother should not refuse to breastfeed without reason and cause distress to the father. Similarly, the father should not separate the child from the mother and have someone else breastfeed the child, thereby causing distress to the mother, or show stinginess in providing her food and clothing expenses. Nor should the mother be forced to breastfeed if she is not willing.
[322] This child who is being breastfed is himself an heir of his father, and there may be other heirs as well. In any case, these expenses will be paid collectively from the deceased's estate, and those who are ‘asabah (the closest male heirs of the deceased) will pay them.
[323]
The Maximum Duration of Breastfeeding:
That is, if both parents, by mutual consultation, wish to wean the child before two years—for example, if the mother's milk is not good and the child's health remains poor, or if the mother is still married to the father, it may also happen that she becomes pregnant during this period and needs to wean the child—then in such cases, there is no sin upon them, and it is not necessary for the child to be breastfed for the full two years.
[324] One meaning is as written in the translation, and another is that if you wish to have a wet nurse breastfeed the child, then you must pay her compensation. However, whatever agreed-upon expenses the mother was receiving should also be paid to her, and there should be no reduction in this.
[325]
Imbalances in Good Social Conduct:
There are countless rulings which, after being stated, Allah Almighty has emphasized "being mindful of Allah." The reason for this is that in the world of dealings, countless forms of a single matter can arise, in which a person, while adhering to the apparent words of Allah's command, may devise a benefit for himself that goes against the divine intent. As a result, another person may suffer loss or be caused distress. It is difficult to state a separate ruling for every such situation that may arise, and it is also contrary to Allah's wisdom. Therefore, the emphasis on being mindful of Allah is given so that a person keeps his intention correct and, with the awareness of being answerable to Allah in the Hereafter, carries out these rulings exactly as Allah intends.
