Sayyiduna Jaabir Radiyallahu Anhu reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day, let him not be secluded with an unrelated woman without her guardian lest Satan be the third of them.” [Musnad Ahmad]
Question:
If my sister’s 1-month-old daughter drank a few drops of my breast milk, would that be sufficient for her to be considered my milk daughter (radaa’i daughter)?
If so, would my two sons become her Mahrams, and what would be the ruling regarding my husband—would he also be considered her Mahram?
Answer:
A. Yes, since your niece did drink a few drops of your breast milk, the bond of Hurmat al-Radha‘ah (prohibitive kinship through breastfeeding) is established, as this occurred within the valid period of two lunar years.
As a result, all those who would be considered her Mahrams if she were your biological daughter will now also be her Mahrams. This includes your husband, your sons, her grandparents, uncles, and other such close male relatives. [Shaami 3/209 – al-Muheetul Burhaani 3/68]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)