Can a non-Muslim breastfeed a Muslim child?

Q. Can a non-Muslim breastfeed a Muslim child, like one’s non-Muslim neighbor or helper?

A. There is no prohibition for a non-Muslim woman (neighbor or helper) to breastfeed a Muslim child. However, whenever necessary, a Muslim child should be breastfed with the breastmilk of an upright Muslim woman and not of a non-Muslim.

All the laws applicable to fosterage (Radhaa’ah) will also apply to the non-Muslim mother when breastfeeding a Muslim child. (Durarul Hukkaam 1/355 – Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 623)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com