Excerpt from the book "Wālidayn aur Aulād ke Ḥuqūq" by Shaykh Jāwēd Iqbāl Sīālkōṭī
The Complete Duration of Breastfeeding in Islam is Two Years
﴿وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ﴾
“Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two complete years — for those who wish to complete the period of breastfeeding.”
Surah al-Baqarah (2:233)
✔ The complete and ideal duration of breastfeeding, as mentioned in the Qur’an, is two lunar years (24 months).
✔ This is a divinely prescribed limit for those who choose to fully complete the period of nursing (raḍāʿah).
Some scholars refer to another verse:
﴿وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا﴾
“His gestation and weaning is [a period of] thirty months.”
Surah al-Aḥqāf (46:15)
→ This includes both pregnancy and breastfeeding together — totaling 30 months (2.5 years).
Thus, subtracting 24 months of breastfeeding from 30 months total leaves 6 months — the minimum valid duration of pregnancy.
Some companions of the Prophet ﷺ used this verse as proof that:
If a child is born six months after marriage, he is still considered legitimate (ḥalāl), as it fulfills the minimum term defined by the Qur'an.
Also supported by verses: Surah Luqmān: 14 and Surah al-Baqarah: 233
❖ Topic:
The Complete Duration of Breastfeeding in Islam is Two Years
✿ Primary Quranic Evidence:
﴿وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ﴾
“Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two complete years — for those who wish to complete the period of breastfeeding.”
Surah al-Baqarah (2:233)
Key Ruling:
✔ The complete and ideal duration of breastfeeding, as mentioned in the Qur’an, is two lunar years (24 months).
✔ This is a divinely prescribed limit for those who choose to fully complete the period of nursing (raḍāʿah).
✿ Clarification Regarding 30 Months:
Some scholars refer to another verse:
﴿وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا﴾
“His gestation and weaning is [a period of] thirty months.”
Surah al-Aḥqāf (46:15)→ This includes both pregnancy and breastfeeding together — totaling 30 months (2.5 years).
❖ Scholarly Explanation:
- Surah al-Baqarah (2:233) states: breastfeeding = 24 months (2 years)
- Surah al-Aḥqāf (46:15): pregnancy + breastfeeding = 30 months
Thus, subtracting 24 months of breastfeeding from 30 months total leaves 6 months — the minimum valid duration of pregnancy.❖ Benefit:
Some companions of the Prophet ﷺ used this verse as proof that:
If a child is born six months after marriage, he is still considered legitimate (ḥalāl), as it fulfills the minimum term defined by the Qur'an.
Also supported by verses: Surah Luqmān: 14 and Surah al-Baqarah: 233
