Radha’at

Breastfeeding an infant is known as Radha’at in the Shariah. The rules of Radha’at are as follows:

1. The period of breastfeeding is 2 lunar (Islamic) years. It is not permissible to breastfeed a baby for more than two years. This is according to both Hanafi and Shaafi math-habs. However, according to Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi alaih) breastfeeding until 30 lunar months for a valid reason is permissible. After this it is unanimously haraam to breastfeed a child.
2. According to the Hanafi Math-hab if an infant drinks the milk of another woman even once, the Islamic law of ‘milk relationship’ will be established between the woman and the child. Such relations are just as blood relations in regard to permissibility and prohibition regarding marriage. The woman becomes like the mother of the child and her children become like brothers and sisters of the child. Marriage between them is unlawful. According to the Shaafi Math-hab, ‘milk relations’ will only be established if the infant drank the woman’s milk at least five times, i.e. on five different occasions.
3. It is the Islamic haqq (right) of the baby to be breastfed within the two-year period.
4. If the child’s father wishes that the full period be completed, that the baby be breastfed for two years, it will then be obligatory upon the mother to do so.
5. The parents may by mutual consultation and agreement discontinue breastfeeding before expiry of the two-year period. This they may do in the interests of the child or for some other valid reason.
6. Where a woman has been divorced, she will be entitled to ask for a wage for breastfeeding her own child. It is obligatory on the father to pay her a fair wage for this service. But she has no right to demand payment while she is in his nikah or in iddat.

(From The Majlis Archives)