Is it permissible to breastfeed during pregnancy?

Question

I have recently found out that I am pregnant with our second child, Alhamdulillah. My question is relating to breast feeding. I would like to know if it is permissible for me to continue to breast feed my first child during the pregnancy? She is not yet 2 years old and my intention was to complete the full weaning term with her. I

was told islamically, once you're pregnant you have to discontinue breast feeding immediately. If this is the case, is it permissible for me to gradually wean my daughter off the breast milk or will I be in error if I continue at all?

Hanif Yusuf Patel · Accepted Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Islam does not stipulate any prohibition on continuing to breastfeed during pregnancy.[1] However, you must consult your doctor and seek medical advice[2]. If it is advised that breastfeeding during pregnancy is not detrimental to either you or your child then you may continue to breastfeed[3]. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Hanif Yusuf Patel Student Darul Iftaa UK Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. [1] عن جدامة بنت وهب الأسدية أنها سمعت رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم يقول: لقد هممت أن أنهى عن الغيلة حتّى ذكرت أن الرّوم وفارس يصنعون ذلك فلا يضرّ أولادهم [Saheeh Muslim, Kitab an-Nikah, 284-6; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Kitab at-Tibb, 2077; Sunan Abi-Dawood, Kitab at-Tibb, 3882; Sunan Nasa`I, Kitab an-Nikah, 5485] وقال ابن السكيت: هو أن ترضع المرأة وهي حامل [Fat`h al-Mulhim, 3:457, Dar al-Qalam, Damascus; Awjaz al-Masalik ila Muwatta Malik, 11:538, Dar al-Qalam, Damascus]] وهو أن تلد المرأة فيغشاها زوجها وهي ترضع فتحمل الغيل [Bazhl al-Majhood fi halli Sunan Abi Dawood, 11:608, Dar al-Basha`ir al-Islamiyyah] وفي هذا الحديث جواز الغيلة فإنه صلي الله عليه وسلم لم ينه عنها وبيّن سبب ترك النهي [ Fat`h al-Mulhim, 3:458; Bazhl al-Majhood fi halli Sunan Abi Dawood, 11:610 ] المرضعة إذا ظهر بها الحبل و انقطع لبنها و ليس لأبي الصغير ما يستأجر به الظئر و يخاف هلاك الولد قالوا يباح لها أن تعالج في استنزال الدم ما دام الحمل نطفة أو علقة أو مضغة لم يخلق له عضو [Fatawa Qadhi Khan, 3: 251; Radd al-Muhtar ala Durr al-Mukhtar, 6: 429] Also see for indirect ruling: Sharh Mukhtasar at-Tahawi li al-Jassas, 5:274; Al-Fatawa at-Tatarkhaniyyah, 4: 370; Al-Asal li al-Imam as-Shaybani, 10:280] [2] وهو كما قال صاحب الهداية في كتاب الصوم في مثل هذه المسئلة: هذا ليس من باب الفقه (بل من الطبّ) [Al-Hidayah, 1:238, Maktabah Rahmaniyyah, Lahore]

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