❖ Does a Husband Drinking His Wife’s Milk Invalidate the Marriage? Islamic Ruling
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 724
❖ Question:
If a husband places his wife’s breast in his mouth, and a drop of milk enters his mouth,
does this break the nikah (marriage) or not?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
◈ Although this act is improper and it is not permissible for the husband to do so,
◈ It does not invalidate the nikah. The marriage remains intact.
✦ Explanation:
This matter has been clarified by Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله in his commentary on Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, where he states that such an act does not affect the validity of marriage.
Furthermore, for raḍāʿah (nursing that establishes foster relationships and prohibitions), a condition must be fulfilled:
The one who drinks the milk must be under two years of age.✦ Supporting Report:
This condition is affirmed in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ of Imām Muḥammad, through the statement of Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما that:
Raḍāʿah is only valid within the age of two years.
Conclusion:
◉ The act is impermissible, but
◉ It does not nullify the nikah.
◉ No legal consequences such as divorce or separation result from this act.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
