A lady wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) that thirty years ago, she had breastfed [rada‘ah] her younger brother along with her own son. Now, the marriage of her elder brother’s son had been proposed to her daughter. She asked whether this marriage could go ahead. Huzoor-e-Anwar^(aba) in a letter dated 14 December 2020, provided the following guidance on this issue:

“Regarding rada‘ah, the Holy Prophet^(sa) states that if relationships, which are forbidden on account of nasab [descent], are established through rada‘ah, then their prohibition also becomes binding. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Shahadaat) However, the condition is that the child should have suckled to satisfaction at least five times during his nursing years. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab ar-Rida‘)

“Along with this, it is important to keep in mind that the prohibition established through rada‘ah applies only to the suckling and its offspring. This rada‘ah has no effect on the other siblings of the baby who was breastfed. Hence, in view of this, there is nothing wrong with your daughter marrying the son of your brother who did not drink your milk.

“May Allah bless this marriage for both the families, may He continue to grant you the delight of your eyes from your children, and may He always bless you with His bounties. Amin.”