Until What Age Is Breastfeeding Permissible in Islam?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

My teenage son suck my wife’s breast every day as a habit. My wife has no milk in her breasts. So is it permissible?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It is not permissible for a son at this age to suck on the breasts. Stop him from this habit as soon as possible.

The mahram relationship and prohibition (hurmat) arising from breastfeeding only applies if the baby is less than two years old or less than thirty months at most. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Rad al-Muhtar]

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

Related: Breastfeeding Archives

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.