What is the time limit for nursing to establish prohibition?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fosterage (Breastfeeding)
Primary text
A condition for nursing to establish prohibition is that it occurs within the two years (Al-Hulayn). This is the position of the majority of scholars, narrated from Umar, Ali, Ibn Umar, Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Abbas, and Abu Hurayrah, and the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) except Aisha. This view is held by Al-Sha'bi, Ibn Shubruma, Al-Awza'i, Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad, and Abu Thawr, and one narration from Malik. The primary evidence is the verse: 'And mothers shall nurse their offspring for two whole years for those who wish to complete the nursing period' (Quran 2:233), indicating that there is no ruling after these two years. Also, the Prophet (PBUH) stated: 'Nothing in nursing prohibits except what tears the intestines and what was before weaning.' This necessitates interpreting the narration concerning Salama bint Suhayl (regarding Salim) as specific to him, as the other wives of the Prophet (PBUH) rejected applying that ruling to anyone else unless the nursing occurred in infancy.
Supporting text
A narration from Malik suggests that if it exceeds by one month, it is permissible, and another narration mentions two months. Abu Hanifa states that prohibition is established within thirty months based on Quran 46:15 ({And His gestation and weaning are thirty months}), arguing that the gestation mentioned is not only abdominal pregnancy (which is two years), implying the remaining time is for weaning. Zufar stated the period is three years. Aisha held that nursing a major person establishes prohibition, citing the narration of Salama bint Suhayl, but the other wives rejected this for themselves, insisting nursing must be in infancy.