Non-Puerperal Induced Lactation among Married Women: Islamic Jurisprudence and Contemporary Practice

Abstract

Objective: Among Muslims, milk kinship elucidates the relationships established by a wet-nurse and her breastfed infant, prohibiting marriage between those it relates after the fulfillment of prerequisites. When galactagogues are used in the non-gestational lactation state, the relationship between motherhood and fatherhood through human milk can be questioned. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the jurisprudential opinion of this relationship and provide examples of it from real, contemporary life. Methods: The researched utilized a deductive, analytical, and inductive approach for the jurisprudential view regarding the prohibition (of marriage) among married deflowered women using galactagogues and toward their husbands. Three controversial statements were presented and discussed independently. A qualitative study method was performed to explore the psychological and social effects of non-puerperal induced lactation within Muslim foster family. A real-life experience of 10 families was presented. Results: The preponderant opinion was outweighed by a Shariʿah researcher proving the prohibition (of marriage) between the lactating non-gestational woman using galactagogues, the nursed infant, and similarly toward her husband. Infertility was observed to be the primary motive for fostering. Induced lactation-linked fostering demonstrated a positive psychosocial effect in terms of the new parenthood role and forward movement of a happy marital life. Originality: An integrative approach to study non-puerperal lactation is required for contemporary medical controversial issues. Milk kinship as it relates to the husband requires further research.