What is the distribution of liability for *mahr* (dower) when multiple individuals invalidate a marriage through suckling?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Fosterage (Breastfeeding)

Book 45 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a group invalidates a marriage contract through suckling (milk relationship), the *mahr* is divided proportionally among them. If five women provided milk such that the young wife of the husband became forbidden to him (due to completing five sucklings from the milk of the husband's mother), her marriage is invalidated, and they owe her half of her *mahr* shared amongst themselves. If one provided two drinks and another three, the liability is proportional to the quantity: the first owes five (units of liability), and the second owes ten and two-tenths (five plus five and one-third of the remainder, interpreted as proportional shares based on the given amounts). If one provided two drinks and three others each provided three drinks, the first owes five units of liability, and each of the remaining three owes one-third of five.

Supporting text

If the quantities of suckling provided by the individuals are unequal, the compensation due relates directly to the quantity or number of sucklings contributed, as the prohibition is tied to the count of sucklings, unlike general impurity where quantity may not matter equally.