The Consequences of Denying Breast Milk: Insights from Hadith

Understanding the Importance of Breastfeeding: A Hadith Perspective

Mothers denying breast milk to their infants may be a reason for them to be punished

عن أبي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيُّ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: ((بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ إِذْ أَتَانِي رَجُلَانِ، فَأَخَذَا بِضَبْعَيَّ، فَأَتَيَا بِي جَبَلًا وَعْرًا فَقَالَا: اصْعَدْ، فَقُلْتُ: إِنِّي لَا أُطِيقُهُ، فَقَالَا: إِنَّا سَنُسَهِّلُهُ لَكَ، فَصَعِدْتُ…)) فساق الحديث إلى أن قال: ((ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ بِي، فَإِذَا أَنَا بِنِسَاءٍ تَنْهَشُ ثُدِيَّهُنَّ الْحَيَّاتُ، قُلْتُ: مَا بَالُ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: هَؤُلَاءِ يَمْنَعْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ أَلْبَانَهُنَّ ..))

On the authority of Abu Umāmah Al-Bāhili, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “While I was sleeping, two men came to me. They took hold of my arms and brought me to a rugged mountain. They said: ‘Climb.’ I replied: ‘I am unable to.’ They said: ‘We will make it easy for you.’ So I climbed…”. The hadith continued until he said: “Then they took me along, and I came across women whose breasts were being bitten by snakes. I asked: ‘What is the matter with these women?’ They replied: ‘These are the women who denied their children their milk…'”.

Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah (1986), Ibn Hibban (7491), and Al-Hakim (2837). Al-Hākim authenticated it according to the criteria of Muslim, and Adh-Dhahabi agreed with him. It was also authenticated by Sheikh Albani in “As-Silsilah As-Sahihah” (3951).

NOTE: Powdered infant formula can be used as an alternative:

The scholars of the Permanent Committee for Issuing Fatwas stated (21/7):

“It is incumbent upon a woman to breastfeed her children and ensure their well-being. She should not suffice with imported milk or any other substitute without (1) the consent of her husband after consultation, and (2) provided that it does not harm the children.”