Ruling on Riḍāʿat al-Kabīr: The Issue of Breastfeeding After Two Years
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Nikāḥ ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 317
The concept of Riḍāʿat al-Kabīr is that if a bearded, adult man frequently visits a woman for the purpose of learning, and his visits become socially or religiously difficult for the woman, then can she breastfeed him so that she becomes his foster mother and his visits thereafter are considered permissible? Please explain this issue in detail with evidences.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
According to Islamic Sharīʿah, the prescribed duration for Riḍāʿah (breastfeeding) is two years.
✿ If a child drinks the milk of a woman within this prescribed period, and that nursing takes place five times or more, then in such a case, the prohibition of Riḍāʿah (foster relationship and its related rulings) is established.
✿ Undoubtedly, Umm al-Muʾminīn ʿĀʾishah al-Ṣiddīqah رضي الله عنها and some other scholars held the opinion that Riḍāʿat al-Kabīr (an adult man breastfeeding) is valid.
✿ However, when this view is examined in the light of evidences, it is found to be incorrect.
From the evidences found in these works, it becomes clear that Riḍāʿah is only valid up to two years of age. Beyond that age, Riḍāʿah holds no legal consideration.
For now, further elaboration is not possible, but studying the above-mentioned works will make this issue entirely clear.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my understanding, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Nikāḥ ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 317
Question:
The concept of Riḍāʿat al-Kabīr is that if a bearded, adult man frequently visits a woman for the purpose of learning, and his visits become socially or religiously difficult for the woman, then can she breastfeed him so that she becomes his foster mother and his visits thereafter are considered permissible? Please explain this issue in detail with evidences.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
According to Islamic Sharīʿah, the prescribed duration for Riḍāʿah (breastfeeding) is two years.
✿ If a child drinks the milk of a woman within this prescribed period, and that nursing takes place five times or more, then in such a case, the prohibition of Riḍāʿah (foster relationship and its related rulings) is established.
Opinions Regarding
✿ Undoubtedly, Umm al-Muʾminīn ʿĀʾishah al-Ṣiddīqah رضي الله عنها and some other scholars held the opinion that Riḍāʿat al-Kabīr (an adult man breastfeeding) is valid.
✿ However, when this view is examined in the light of evidences, it is found to be incorrect.
References for Research:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
- Sunan al-Dāraquṭnī
- And others
From the evidences found in these works, it becomes clear that Riḍāʿah is only valid up to two years of age. Beyond that age, Riḍāʿah holds no legal consideration.
For now, further elaboration is not possible, but studying the above-mentioned works will make this issue entirely clear.ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is my understanding, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
