Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Awanpuri
Question:
Zaid has two wives, and both have daughters from him. Bakar has a child who was breastfed by one of Zaid's daughters. Can Bakar's son marry any of Zaid's other daughters or the daughters from Zaid's second wife?
Answer:
Just as it is impermissible for the child to marry his foster sister, it is also prohibited for him to marry any of her other sisters, including the daughters from Zaid's second wife. This is because the relationships that are prohibited due to blood ties are also prohibited due to fosterage (breastfeeding). Since the child nursed with one of Zaid's daughters, he becomes a foster son of Zaid. As a result, all of Zaid's daughters are considered his foster sisters.
However, Bakar’s other sons, who did not nurse from any of Zaid’s wives, can marry any of Zaid’s daughters. This ruling is supported by the hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was with her when she heard a man asking for permission to enter the house of Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her). Aisha said:
"O Messenger of Allah, this man is seeking permission to enter your house."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
"He is Hafsa’s foster uncle."
Aisha then asked:
"If my foster uncle were alive, would he be allowed to enter my house?"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Yes, for fosterage prohibits the same relationships as blood does."
[Sahih Bukhari: 2646, Sahih Muslim: 1445]
Question:
Zaid has two wives, and both have daughters from him. Bakar has a child who was breastfed by one of Zaid's daughters. Can Bakar's son marry any of Zaid's other daughters or the daughters from Zaid's second wife?
Answer:
Just as it is impermissible for the child to marry his foster sister, it is also prohibited for him to marry any of her other sisters, including the daughters from Zaid's second wife. This is because the relationships that are prohibited due to blood ties are also prohibited due to fosterage (breastfeeding). Since the child nursed with one of Zaid's daughters, he becomes a foster son of Zaid. As a result, all of Zaid's daughters are considered his foster sisters.
However, Bakar’s other sons, who did not nurse from any of Zaid’s wives, can marry any of Zaid’s daughters. This ruling is supported by the hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was with her when she heard a man asking for permission to enter the house of Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her). Aisha said:
"O Messenger of Allah, this man is seeking permission to enter your house."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
"He is Hafsa’s foster uncle."
Aisha then asked:
"If my foster uncle were alive, would he be allowed to enter my house?"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Yes, for fosterage prohibits the same relationships as blood does."
[Sahih Bukhari: 2646, Sahih Muslim: 1445]
