"I heard 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet say: 'Sahlah bint Suhail came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I see (displeasure) in the face of Abu Hudhaifah when Salim enters upon me.' The Messenger of Allah said: 'Breast-feed him.' She said: 'He has a beard.' He said: 'Breast-feed him, and that will take away (the displeasure) in the face of Abu Hudhaifah.' She said: 'By Allah, I never saw that on the face of Abu Hudhaifah after that.'"
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 3319 describes Sahlah bint Suhail's consultation with the Prophet regarding her husband Abu Hudhaifah's discomfort when Salim (their adopted son) entered her private quarters.
Legal Ruling & Wisdom
The Prophet's command for Sahlah to breastfeed Salim establishes that a single breastfeeding creates mahram (unmarriageable) status, removing the requirement for hijab between them.
This ruling demonstrates the Shariah's wisdom in preserving family harmony while maintaining proper boundaries, as breastfeeding creates a maternal bond equivalent to blood relation.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars note this hadith proves the effectiveness of adult breastfeeding in establishing mahram status, though later jurists restricted its application due to potential misuse.
The incident shows the Prophet's practical approach to solving domestic issues while upholding Islamic principles of modesty and family preservation.
Practical Implications
This ruling applies specifically to cases where maintaining proper hijab becomes difficult within household arrangements, providing a Shar'i solution for exceptional circumstances.
The effectiveness of the solution is confirmed by Sahlah's testimony that Abu Hudhaifah's displeasure completely disappeared thereafter.