Ruling on Marriage After Breastfeeding by Maternal Grandmother
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri
If a maternal grandmother (nāni) acknowledges that she breastfed her grandson, is it permissible for that grandson to marry her granddaughter (nawāsī)?
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).
﴿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.”
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).
