Messenger of Allah, Salim (the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifa) is living with us in our house, and he has attained (puberty) as men attain it and has acquired knowledge (of the sex problems) as men acquire, whereupon he said: Suckle him so that he may become unlawful (in regard to marriage) for you He (Ibn Abu Mulaika) said: I refrained from (narrating this hadith) for a year or so on account of fear. I then met al-Qasim and said to him: You narrated to me a hadith which I did not narrate (to anyone) afterwards. He said: What is that? I informed him, whereupon he said: Narrate it on my authority that 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) had narrated that to me.
The Book of Suckling - Sahih Muslim 1453 c
This narration from Umm al-Mu'minin 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) addresses the intricate matter of rada'ah (suckling) and its legal consequences regarding marriage prohibition. Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifa, had reached maturity and was residing in their household, creating a situation of potential khalwah (seclusion) that concerned the noble companions.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's instruction "Suckle him" demonstrates that rada'ah establishes mahramiyyah (prohibition of marriage) regardless of age. This ruling is based on the divine wisdom that suckling creates a bond equivalent to blood relation in terms of marriage prohibitions.
Ibn Abu Mulaika's hesitation for a year reflects the caution early scholars exercised in transmitting hadith, ensuring accuracy and understanding before dissemination. His eventual confirmation with al-Qasim shows the meticulous chain verification process that preserved the sanctity of prophetic traditions.
The ruling establishes that five sucklings or more create permanent marriage prohibition, making the nursed individual mahram to the nursing woman and her relatives. This divine legislation protects family honor and prevents potential fitnah in household arrangements.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for juristic rulings on rada'ah across all madhahib. It confirms that suckling creates the same marriage prohibitions as blood relations, including the nursing woman, her daughters, sisters, and other mahram relatives.
The incident illustrates the practical application of Islamic law in resolving social complexities while maintaining spiritual purity and family integrity within Muslim society.