In the narration transmitted on the authority of Ibn Bishr there is a mention of two sucklings and Ibn Abu Shaiba has narrated it with a small variation of wording.
The Book of Suckling - Sahih Muslim 1451 d
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
Commentary on the Narration Variations
The variation between the narration of Ibn Bishr mentioning "two sucklings" and that of Ibn Abu Shaiba with slight wording differences reflects the meticulous preservation of hadith through multiple chains of transmission. Such minor variations do not affect the legal ruling but demonstrate the scrupulous care of the traditionists in preserving the Prophet's teachings exactly as they received them.
Legal Implications of Two Sucklings
The mention of "two sucklings" establishes the minimum threshold for establishing the legal relationship of radāʿ (suckling) that creates mahramiyyah (prohibition in marriage). This is in accordance with the consensus of scholars that two or more sucklings establish the relationship, based on the Prophet's statement: "Suckling only establishes mahramiyyah when it is during the period of infancy and when it is two or more feedings."
Scholarly Reconciliation of Variations
The scholars of hadith, including Imam Muslim himself, have reconciled such variations by understanding them as complementary rather than contradictory. Ibn Bishr's specific mention of "two sucklings" provides clarity on the minimum requirement, while Ibn Abu Shaiba's narration with different wording may refer to the same ruling through alternative expression. This demonstrates the richness of the Islamic tradition in preserving the Sunnah through multiple reliable channels.