17/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1453a — Salim and Sahla Fosterage Hadith
Breastfeeding an adult
المقصود بالرضاعة هنا أن تفرغ المرأة لبنها في إناء وترسله للرجل ليشربه وتكرر ذلك خمس مرات وبذلك تحرم عليه.
Salim and Sahla Fosterage Hadith Explained
Sahih Muslim : 1453a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1453a
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ جَاءَتْ سَهْلَةُ بِنْتُ سُهَيْلٍ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي وَجْهِ أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ مِنْ دُخُولِ سَالِمٍ - وَهُوَ حَلِيفُهُ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَرْضِعِيهِ " . قَالَتْ وَكَيْفَ أُرْضِعُهُ وَهُوَ رَجُلٌ كَبِيرٌ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ " قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ رَجُلٌ كَبِيرٌ " . زَادَ عَمْرٌو فِي حَدِيثِهِ وَكَانَ قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا . وَفِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَرَ فَضَحِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
A'isha Narrated from:
Sahla bint Suhail came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, I see on the face of Abu Hudhaifa (signs of disgust) on entering of Salim (who is an ally) into (our house), whereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: Suckle him. She said: How can I suckle him as he is a grown-up man? Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) smiled and said: I already know that he is a young man 'Amr has made this addition in his narration that he participated in the Battle of Badr and in the narration of Ibn 'Umar (the words are): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) laughed.
[1] Sālim bin ‘Ubaid bin Rabī‘ah was adopted by Abū Hudhaifah, as was the custom of the Arabs, and he was brought up under the care of Abū Hudhaifah and his wife as if he was their son. When the verse: “Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers.” [Al-Ahzāb 33:5] was revealed, the idea of adoption was abolished and it became hard on them to prevent him from entering upon them because he was like a son to them. So Sahlah asked him about that.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1453aIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 33USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3424
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1453a
This hadith about Salim and Sahla describes a household concern. Sahla bint Suhail came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said she noticed signs on Abu Hudhaifa’s face because Salim entered their house. Salim was his ally, and the report says he was a grown man. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told Sahla to suckle him. When she asked how, since he was grown, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم smiled and said he already knew that he was a young man. The hadith focuses on this specific case and the answer given in it. It should not be mixed with details not stated in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- Sahla brought a real household concern to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم understood that Salim was grown when giving his answer.
- The narration records both the question and the Prophet’s calm response.
- This hadith should be read as the specific case described in the report.
