Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I would like a clarification on the following  ...

... " but if the foster-mother has not nursed the adopted child, then she will not be considered a mehram of the adopted child "  ...

If the child has been nursed by either the wife's sisters or husband's sisters does the child become mehram ??? Please advise.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Foster relation of infant

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.36 (part) Narrated by Aisha

The Prophet (saws) said, "….foster suckling relations make all those things ‘haraam’ which are ‘haraam’ through corresponding birth (blood) relations."

If a male infant is given suck by the wife’s sister, then indeed the child would be considered a ‘mehram’ of all those who would be considered ‘mehrams’ of the children born of womb of the wife’s sister. If a male infant is given suck by the wife’s sister, indeed the child will be considered a ‘mehram’ of the wife, as maternal aunts are considered to be amongst the ‘mehram’ or sacred relationships in Islam….but the male child will not be a ‘mehram’ of the daughters born to the couple (who adopted him) as cousins or foster-cousins are not considered ‘mehrams’ in Shariah.

Similarly, if the female infant is given suck by the husband’s sister, then indeed the girl would be a considered a ‘mehram’ of all those who would be considered ‘mehrams’ of the children born of womb of the husband’s sister. If a female infant is given suck by the husband’s sister, indeed the girl will be considered a ‘mehram’ of the husband, as maternal uncles are considered to be amongst the ‘mehram’ or sacred relationships in Islam….but the female child will not be a ‘mehram’ of the sons born to the couple (who adopted him), as cousins or foster-cousins are not considered ‘mehrams’ in Shariah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan