Adult breastfeeding was a particular case of Sahlah and Saalim
Fatwa No: 137654

Question

Many women breast-feed their young male relations so that they and their kids may be allowed together alone later on in their life. Recently, two Saudi clerics advocated extending the practice to unrelated adult males. As part of Islamic law, men and women are forbidden to be alone together, unless they are blood relatives or have established maternal relations. As a way to avoid breaking this rule, which can result in lashings or prison time, Sheikh Al Obeikan, adviser to the royal court and consultant to the Ministry of Justice, told Gulf News that women should give their breast milk to male colleagues, acquaintances or anyone with whom they come into regular contact. "The man should take the milk, but not directly from the breast of the woman," Al Obeikan said, according to Gulf News. "He should drink it and then becomes a relative of the family, a fact that allows him to come in contact with the women without breaking Islam's rules about mixing." While Al Obeikan advises that milk should be pumped and then given in a glass, another Saudi sheik, Abi Ishaq Al Huwaini, argues that men should suckle directly.This fatwa has sparked controversy and disapproval. I don't know which is correct, but my question is, what if the women cannot produce milk at all, since they can only produce milk after giving birth to a child?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.


In our site, we do not discuss the opinions and Fataawa of the scholars, however, in regard to the subject of the question, we believe that what was reported is considered as a particular case of Sahlah (Bint Suhayl) and Saalim (the freed slave of Abu Huthayfah) . For more benefit, refer to Fataawa 83788 and 115715.

Allaah Knows best.

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