The wisdom behind prohibition by breastfeeding
Abstract
Prohibition by breastfeeding is a very important legal ruling in Islam. It carries profound implications that go beyond mere superficial prohibition. The primary goal is to protect lineages from any confusion or ambiguity. Once a woman breastfeeds a child, that child becomes her own child in terms of mahram status. It is forbidden for the child to marry her sons, daughters, or anyone else who is forbidden to her children by blood or marriage. This ensures clarity of relationships within the extended family and prevents any marriage that might be forbidden if this aspect were not observed. In addition to its preventative aspect, this prohibition seeks to protect mahrams and safeguard them from falling into sin, thereby protecting society from moral corruption. It sets clear boundaries that prevent closeness that could lead to forbidden acts, which is consistent with the principle of blocking the means in Islamic law. It is not limited to prohibition, but the prohibition extends to breastfeeding to strengthen social ties and expand the circle of intimacy and affection. When a woman breastfeeds a child, a relationship similar to blood ties is created, and this child becomes part of the breastfeeding family, which supports solidarity and cohesion between families. This contributes to spreading mercy and love among people, and makes breastfeeding a means of strengthening social cohesion. It also implicitly encourages breastfeeding because of its health and psychological benefits for the child and the mother, in addition to strengthening family ties.
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