Some research on genetics and milk
Very limited research has been done on the topic. So you can easily assume that little is known in documented literature of the world as of this year 2024.
Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your [milk] mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, your wives' mothers, and your step-daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives unto whom you have gone in. But if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you. And [also prohibited are] the wives of your sons who are from your [own] loins, and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occurred.1 Indeed, Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Notice the : “except for what has already occurred”
Mothers may nurse [i.e., breastfeed] their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is their [i.e., the mothers'] provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is Seeing of what you do.
Halima bint Abi Dhu'ayb al-Sa'diyya
Halima bint Abi Dhu'ayb al-Sa'diyya (Arabic: حليمة بنت أبي ذؤيب السعدية) was the foster-mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Halimah and her husband were from the tribe of Sa'd b. Bakr, a subdivision of Hawazin (a large North Arabian tribe or group of tribes).[1] Relationship with Muhammad
Aminah bint Wahb, the mother of Muhammad, was waiting for the arrival of the Banu Sa'd; the women within the tribe of the Banu Sa'd were foster mothers. They would take the children of Mecca to the desert and teach them classical Arabic and other skills; in return, they would receive a salary from the family of the child in Mecca.[2] Halimah's husband was al-Harith bin Abdul Uzza and his nickname was Abu Kabsheh. Halima's father was Abu Dhu'ayb Abd Allah bin Harith bin Shejna Saadi, from the tribe of Saad bin Bakr bin Hawazin.[3] Her son was named Abdullah, while the daughters were named Unaysa and Hudhafa. While traveling to Mecca, she was unable to feed her child because her she-camel stopped lactating. In Mecca, all those looking for foster children rejected taking care of the half-orphan Muhammad because they feared not getting paid since his father was dead. Halimah felt sad that every woman in her tribe had received a child except her. So she told her husband al-Harith: “By God, I do not like the idea of returning with my friends without a child; I will go and take that orphan.” Her husband agreed.[4] Immediately after accepting him, blessing came to her and her family. Her husband's flock during a time of great famine was healthy and producing milk while the rest of the people's flocks were dying.[4]
A few months later Muhammad's foster brother shouted: that two men in white cut Muhammad's chest. When Halimah and Al-Harith asked Muhammad what happened, he said: “Two men came and opened my chest and took a portion of it”. After this she gave up fostering him and told his mother what had happened.[4] Muhammad spent five years in the BaniSaad bin Bakr tribe. Then Halima brought him back to his mother and grandfather Abdul Mutalib when he was five years old.
Years later, after Muhammad married Khadijah, Halimah went to him in Mecca and complained about the hardships of the times. Muhammad talked about her with Khadija and Khadija gave her some sheep and camels. After the advent of Islam, Halima joined Muhammad and along with her husband converted to Islam[5]
Halima bint Abi Dhu'ayb later accepted Islam after the Battle of Hunayn.[citation needed] Death
She died in 9 A.H. and her grave is in Jannatul Baqi, Medina.[6] The remains of the place she used to live in and where Muhammad grew up still stand today.[citation needed]
Q: Firstly, when a relation of a milk mother (foster mother) or “Razaat” is established through breastfeeding a child, is this status of a mother given to the breastfeeding woman because of respect only and can she be regarded as a step mother?
Secondly, does this status of milk mother make her equivalent to a biological mother in terms of rights and all aspects which a biological mother has.
Bismillaah
A: She has rights and should be shown respect. However, she is not equal to the biological mother.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)