Can I breastfeed my sister’s children to make them mahram?

Question:
Is it permissible in Islam for my sister-in-law to breastfeed my son in order to make him her mahram?

Answer:
Yes, it is permissible under certain conditions. If there’s a real need for the child to become a mahram—like for living arrangements or medical genetic issues—then it is allowed. However, if there’s no such necessity, then it’s considered makrooh (discouraged), because you are making something that was halal, such a marriage between your children, haram.

There are important guidelines for the breastfeeding to count in a way that establishes mahram relationships:

  • The child must be under two years old.
  • There must be five full breastfeeding sessions (according to the majority opinion), or ten full sessions (according to another opinion).

So, if the conditions are met, your sister-in-law can breastfeed your son to make him her mahram.

Answered by:
Dr. Mahmoud A. Omar
Islamic Jurist and Mufti
Al-Azhar Fatwa Council Member

Methodology:
This fatwa is based on the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the established principles of Islamic jurisprudence (Usool), with consideration of contemporary circumstances.

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