The Daughter Of One's Brother Through Breast-feeding Is Forbidden For Marriage — Sunan an-Nasa'i 3305

Overview & Central Theme

This profound hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (3305) encapsulates a foundational principle of Islamic family law: the sanctity and binding nature of kinship established through breastfeeding (radā‘ah). The Prophet ﷺ, when the daughter of his uncle Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him) was suggested as a potential wife, immediately declined by invoking the spiritual brotherhood forged through shared nursing. This teaching underscores that Allah’s legislation, not mere biological ties or social customs, defines permissible relationships in marriage. It elevates the act of breastfeeding to a status of profound legal and ethical consequence, establishing mahram relationships that protect the dignity and honor of the family unit.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The incident occurred after the conquest of Khaybar, when the Prophet ﷺ was offered the hand of Umm Salamah’s daughter, who was also the daughter of Hamzah from another wife. The Prophet ﷺ clarified: "She is the daughter of my brother through breast-feeding." The key Arabic term is "akhī min ar-radā‘ah" (أخي من الرضاعة), where "radā‘ah" derives from the root r-d-‘ (رضع) meaning to suckle or nurse. Linguistically, this indicates that breastfeeding creates a bond of brotherhood/sisterhood analogous to blood lineage. Qatadah’s narration from Jabir bin Zaid, as noted by Shu'bah, confirms the chain’s authenticity and highlights the scholarly rigor in preserving such rulings. The Prophet ﷺ’s statement was not merely a personal preference but a legislative clarification, as he later explained that "breastfeeding makes unlawful what birth makes unlawful" (agreed upon).

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• Jurisprudential Ruling: This hadith establishes that a woman who breastfeeds a child becomes a mother in the legal sense, and her children become siblings to that child, making marriage between them impermissible (haram). The majority of scholars (jumhūr) require five known breastfeeding sessions within the first two years of life for this ruling to apply, based on Aisha’s hadith (Muslim).
• Ethical Principle: The Prophet ﷺ’s immediate and gentle refusal demonstrates the importance of guarding one’s chastity and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety, while also respecting the sanctity of familial bonds that Allah has ordained.
• Consensus (Ijmā‘): The Companions and all major schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali) unanimously agree that breastfeeding creates permanent marriage prohibitions, as explicitly stated in Quran 4:23: "Forbidden to you are your mothers... and your sisters through breastfeeding."

"Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Sahih Muslim: 'This hadith is a clear proof that the bond of breastfeeding is like the bond of lineage in all aspects of marriage prohibition, and there is no difference between a paternal uncle through breastfeeding and a paternal uncle through lineage.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our contemporary world, this teaching calls Muslims to approach family relationships with deep consciousness of Allah’s boundaries. When arranging marriages, one must diligently investigate breastfeeding connections, especially in close-knit communities or when using wet nurses. It also instills gratitude in mothers and caregivers, reminding them that their nurturing act carries eternal legal and spiritual weight. Moreover, the Prophet’s ﷺ example teaches us to respond to sensitive matters with wisdom, grace, and unwavering adherence to divine law, even when social norms or personal desires might suggest otherwise. By honoring these sacred ties, we preserve the purity of lineage, protect the sanctity of the family, and submit wholeheartedly to the Creator’s perfect legislation.