Author: Imrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ ﴾
“Complete two years [of breastfeeding] for whoever wishes to complete the nursing period.”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, 2:233)
Imām al-Qurṭubī رحمه الله explains: This verse shows that breastfeeding for the full two years is not obligatory. It is permissible to wean the child before two years.
(Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī, 3/107)
Allah ﷻ also says:
﴿ وَإِنْ أَرَدْتُمْ أَنْ تَسْتَرْضِعُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُمْ مَا آتَيْتُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ﴾
“And if you wish to have your children breastfed by a foster woman, there is no blame upon you, provided you pay them fairly what you offered.”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, 2:233)
This verse proves that it is permissible for someone else to breastfeed the child, provided the due compensation is given in a fair manner.
1. Qurʾānic Guidance on Duration of Breastfeeding
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ ﴾
“Complete two years [of breastfeeding] for whoever wishes to complete the nursing period.”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, 2:233)
Imām al-Qurṭubī رحمه الله explains: This verse shows that breastfeeding for the full two years is not obligatory. It is permissible to wean the child before two years.
(Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī, 3/107)
2. Permissibility of Having Someone Else Breastfeed the Child
Allah ﷻ also says:
﴿ وَإِنْ أَرَدْتُمْ أَنْ تَسْتَرْضِعُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُمْ مَا آتَيْتُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ﴾
“And if you wish to have your children breastfed by a foster woman, there is no blame upon you, provided you pay them fairly what you offered.”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah, 2:233)
This verse proves that it is permissible for someone else to breastfeed the child, provided the due compensation is given in a fair manner.
