17/3. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1446a — Foster Brother’s Daughter Not Lawful
The daughter of one's brother through breastfeeding is forbidden in marriage
Foster Brother’s Daughter Marriage Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1446a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1446a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ تَنَوَّقُ فِي قُرَيْشٍ وَتَدَعُنَا فَقَالَ " وَعِنْدَكُمْ شَىْءٌ " . قُلْتُ نَعَمْ بِنْتُ حَمْزَةَ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّهَا لاَ تَحِلُّ لِي إِنَّهَا ابْنَةُ أَخِي مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ " .
'Ali Narrated from:
Messenger of Allah, why is it that you select (your wife) from among the Quraish, but you ignore us (the nearest of the kin)? Thereupon he said: Have you anything for me (a suitable match for me)? I said; Yes, the daughter of Hamza, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: She is not lawful for me, for she is the daughter of my brother by reason of fosterage.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1446aIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 14USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3407
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1446a
This hadith about marriage and fosterage shows how breastfeeding ties affect marriage choices. 'Ali asked why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose from Quraysh but did not choose from his nearest kin. When asked if there was a suitable match, 'Ali mentioned the daughter of Hamza. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied that she was not lawful for him because she was the daughter of his brother through fosterage. The report is direct and does not need extra background to understand the point. A foster brother's daughter was treated as unlawful for marriage in this case. The hadith is a clear example of the broader rule that fosterage can create marriage barriers like family lineage.
What we learn from this hadith
- A foster relationship can affect who is lawful for marriage.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم refused a proposed match because of foster kinship.
- Marriage suggestions should be checked against the family limits taught by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
