17/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1445e — Admit Your Foster Uncle
The prohibition that results from breastfeeding is related to the issue of the male
Admit Your Foster Uncle: Breastfeeding Mahram Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1445e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1445e
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ جَاءَ عَمِّي مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَىَّ فَأَبَيْتُ أَنْ آذَنَ لَهُ حَتَّى أَسْتَأْمِرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْتُ إِنَّ عَمِّي مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَىَّ فَأَبَيْتُ أَنْ آذَنَ لَهُ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " فَلْيَلِجْ عَلَيْكِ عَمُّكِ " . قُلْتُ إِنَّمَا أَرْضَعَتْنِي الْمَرْأَةُ وَلَمْ يُرْضِعْنِي الرَّجُلُ قَالَ " إِنَّهُ عَمُّكِ فَلْيَلِجْ عَلَيْكِ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
My foster uncle came to me and sought permission (to enter the house), but I refused him permission until I had solicited the opinion of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came, I said to him: My foster-uncle sought my permission to (enter the house), but I did not permit him, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: You better admit your uncle (into the house). I ('A'isha) said: It was the woman who suckled me and not the man. (But he) said: He is your uncle, admit him.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1445eIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 8USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3401
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1445e
This breastfeeding mahram hadith presents the matter in A'isha's own words. Her foster uncle came and asked permission to enter, but she refused until she could ask the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived, she explained that the woman had suckled her, not the man. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم still said that he was her uncle and should be admitted. The teaching is direct and practical. Fosterage can create a close family relation that affects rules of entry and seclusion. The report also shows that A'isha did not act carelessly. She paused, asked, and then followed the answer given by Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.
What we learn from this hadith
- A'isha delayed permission until she could ask the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم confirmed the foster uncle's status.
- The hadith links fosterage with practical rules of entry and privacy.
