Please could I have a response to my question below which was previously submitted: As Salamu Alaykum I have recently found out that I am pregnant with our second child, Alhamdulillah. My question is relating to breastfeeding. I would like to know if it is permissible for me to continue to breastfeed 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 breastfeeding 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? Jazakumullah
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘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.
References
[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]
[3] Also applicable is: [Ahkam al-Qur`an li al-Jassas, 1:252]