Source: Fatawa 'Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
How much milk must be consumed for radāʿah (foster relationship through breastfeeding) to be established?
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the amount of milk intake required for radāʿah to be established.
This view is based on a narration from Sayyidah ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها, recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
"كان فيما أنزل من القرآن عشر رضعات معلومات يحرمن ثم نسخن بخمس معلومات، فتوفى رسول الله ﷺ وهن فيما يتلى من القرآن"
“It was revealed in the Qur'an that ten known sucklings prohibit (marriage), then they were abrogated by five known sucklings, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away while it was still being recited in the Qur'an.”
This narration from Sayyidah ʿAishah clearly:
Hence, the soundest view is that five suckles are required for fosterage to be established.
A valid suckle occurs when:
Each such session is counted as one suckle, even if the child does not drink to full satisfaction.
If a child suckles in this manner five times, the foster relationship is established.
How much milk must be consumed for radāʿah (foster relationship through breastfeeding) to be established?
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the amount of milk intake required for radāʿah to be established.
- Some scholars say one suckle (swallow) is sufficient.
- Others consider three suckles necessary.
- Yet others, including the stronger opinion (al-rajih), hold that five suckles are required to establish the foster relationship.
This view is based on a narration from Sayyidah ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها, recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
"كان فيما أنزل من القرآن عشر رضعات معلومات يحرمن ثم نسخن بخمس معلومات، فتوفى رسول الله ﷺ وهن فيما يتلى من القرآن"
“It was revealed in the Qur'an that ten known sucklings prohibit (marriage), then they were abrogated by five known sucklings, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away while it was still being recited in the Qur'an.”
This narration from Sayyidah ʿAishah clearly:
- Restricts the general implication of the Qur'anic verses,
- Explains what was previously unclear (mujmal),
- And is explicit in its meaning, leaving no room for reinterpretation or re-explanation.
Hence, the soundest view is that five suckles are required for fosterage to be established.
A valid suckle occurs when:
- A child latches onto the woman’s breast and sucks,
- Then detaches from the breast and may later return to it.
Each such session is counted as one suckle, even if the child does not drink to full satisfaction.
If a child suckles in this manner five times, the foster relationship is established.
