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Breastfeeding as a Fundamental Islamic Human Right

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Abstract

The argument inherent in this paper is that the religious beliefs and values system deeply shape Muslims’ breastfeeding culture and that mapping the religious ideals of Islam is essential given the potential inroads it offers toward enhanced neonatal, prenatal and pediatric practices, as well as the mitigation of malpractice or cultural inhibitors. This paper discusses the Muslim religious, moral and spiritual understanding of breastfeeding as a basic natural right while exploring the peculiar perspectives of Islamic law and ethics on the matter, in an effort to present a relevant coherent overview. This research shows that for Muslims, breastfeeding is intertwined with Islam’s system of beliefs and values and hence continues to play a vital role in improving health education and increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Further empirical studies on Muslims’ perception and practices of breastfeeding shall highlight the extent to which Muslims adhere to religious and spiritual teachings, the response to cultural, secular and liberal models of child upbringing, and how a Muslim religious discourse may further support and celebrate human lactation and breastfeeding as a basic right.

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Notes

  1. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “Woman, from becoming pregnant to Childbirth and to the ending of breastfeeding (foster hood) is like a person who watches over the borders in the path of God” (‘Al-Hindi 2003). He also said: “And when there is childbirth and the child carries on sucking milk; there is a virtue over every draught of milk and every sucking of child/infant. If the child causes mother to be awaken for whole night-long; she gets as much reward as seventy slaves were set-free in the path of God” (Al-Tabarani 2003. 7:20, 6733). Following the death of his son Ibrahim, Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “There is a wet-nurse for him (i.e., Ibrahim) in Paradise (Bukhari. Sahih al-Bukhari. 3255: Book 59: Hadith 65. Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 477).

  2. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “Indeed, God has prohibited (marriage) among suckling relatives, as He has prohibited it among birth (or blood) relatives” (Bukhari 1980).

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  1. Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Benaouda Bensaid

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Bensaid, B. Breastfeeding as a Fundamental Islamic Human Right. J Relig Health 60, 362–373 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00835-5

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