17/6. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1452a — Five Clear Sucklings in Fosterage
Becoming Mahram is established by Five Breastfeedings
Five Clear Sucklings Hadith Explained
Sahih Muslim : 1452a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1452a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ فِيمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ عَشْرُ رَضَعَاتٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ يُحَرِّمْنَ . ثُمَّ نُسِخْنَ بِخَمْسٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ فَتُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُنَّ فِيمَا يُقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ .
A'isha Narrated from:
It had been revealed in the Holy Qur'an that ten clear sucklings make the marriage unlawful, then it was abrogated (and substituted) by five sucklings and Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) died and it was before that time (found) in the Holy Qur'an (and recited by the Muslims).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1452aIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 30USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3421
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1452a
This hadith about five clear sucklings is reported from Aisha, Allah be pleased with her. She said that it had been revealed that ten clear sucklings made marriage unlawful, then that was abrogated and substituted by five sucklings. The report also says that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم died while it was before that time found in the Qur'an and recited by Muslims. The core topic is fosterage and marriage prohibition. The hadith should be read exactly as worded: it speaks about clear sucklings and their relation to making marriage unlawful. It does not discuss unrelated marriage rules.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aisha reported a sequence from ten clear sucklings to five clear sucklings.
- The hadith links clear sucklings with marriage becoming unlawful.
- The wording shows that the number mentioned matters in fosterage discussions.
- The report should be understood within its own stated topic.
