Is it permissible to hire a wet-nurse in Islam?

Yes, hiring a wet-nurse is permissible in Islam. The Quran, in Surah At-Talaq (65:6), explicitly provides this option for a father if there is a disagreement with the divorced mother over breastfeeding. Classical scholars confirm this as a valid solution to ensure the child is cared for.

Who is financially responsible for the wet-nurse in Islam?

The father of the child is financially responsible for paying the wages of the wet-nurse. According to the tafsir of Ibn Kathir on Quran 65:6, if another woman suckles the child for him, the father must provide her due payment, ensuring the child's needs are met from his means.

Can a mother be forced to breastfeed her child after divorce?

No, an Islamic court cannot force a divorced mother to breastfeed her child, especially if there is a deadlock over compensation. Tafsir Mazhari explains that the verse 'then another woman will suckle him' (65:6) indicates that if the mother refuses, an alternative must be found, respecting her autonomy.

Opting for a Wet-Nurse in Islam: The Quranic Ruling of Istirda'

opting for wet-nurse

Explore Verses Related to opting for wet-nurse

🕌At-Talaq65:6

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the practice of opting for a wet-nurse, known in Arabic as Al-Istirda' (الاسترضاع), is a permissible and regulated provision within Islamic family law designed to ensure an infant's welfare. This ruling is explicitly detailed in Surah At-Talaq, verse 6, which functions as a compassionate solution in post-divorce scenarios. As Ibn Kathir explains in his tafsir, if a divorced couple experiences discord ('ta'asarutm') regarding the mother breastfeeding the child, such as disagreements over wages, the verse provides the father with the option: 'then another woman will suckle for him'. Al-Qurtubi adds that this emphasizes the father's ongoing financial responsibility for his child's nourishment. The linguistic root ر-ض-ع (to suckle) confirms the focus on the act of nursing. This Quranic guidance, therefore, establishes a framework that prioritizes the child's needs, respects the mother's autonomy, and clarifies the father's obligations, ensuring care is never compromised by parental disputes.

📖 Quranic Context

A key provision in Islamic family law ensuring the welfare of infants after parental separation, emphasizing mutual consent and the father's financial responsibility.

Demonstrates Allah's meticulous care in legislating for the most vulnerable (infants) during times of family difficulty, balancing the rights and responsibilities of both parents.

References: The specific ruling is detailed in Surah At-Talaq (65:6), with related principles in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233).

💭 Theological Perspective

Acknowledges the mother's primary role in nursing while providing a just and compassionate alternative if circumstances necessitate it.

Prioritizes the child's physical and emotional well-being, ensuring nourishment and care are not compromised by parental disputes.

Establishes a clear legal framework for child care post-divorce, preventing harm and ensuring fairness.

Encourages parents to act with Ihsan (excellence) and justice, even after separation, as an act of worship and responsibility before Allah.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The practice of wet-nursing was common and approved of during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who himself was nursed by Halimah al-Sa'adiyah.

Establishment of milk-kinship (mahram)
The permissibility of the practice
The character of the wet-nurse

Universal agreement among jurists on the permissibility of hiring a wet-nurse, especially in cases of necessity or mutual agreement.

💎 Deeper Insights

The term 'ta'asarutm' (تَعَاسَرْتُمْ), translated as 'discord' or 'difficulties', comes from the root 'ayn-sin-ra (عسر), meaning hardship. This implies the ruling is not for minor disagreements but for a genuine deadlock where forcing a resolution would cause hardship. It is a divine release (rukhsah) from a difficult situation, prioritizing ease and the child's well-being over a contentious parental relationship.

— Al-Qurtubi, Linguistic Analysts

The phrase 'another woman will suckle for him' (فَسَتُرْضِعُ لَهُ أُخْرَىٰ) subtly underscores the father's central role. The service is done 'for him' (لَهُ), legally framing the wet-nurse as an agent fulfilling the father's personal responsibility. This insight, derived from synthesizing tafsirs, prevents any misinterpretation that the responsibility has simply been outsourced; it remains fundamentally his duty.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari