Ruling on Marrying the Divorcee of a Foster (Adopted) Son
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpuri
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?
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.
﴿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.
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.
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.
