Is a marriage valid if a woman was previously hired for wet nursing?

Chapter on Who is More Entitled to Child Custody

Al-Mughni

Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)

Book 46 · Issue 1 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The marriage of a woman who has hired herself out for nursing remains valid. The husband cannot annul the marriage contract, nor can he prevent her from fulfilling her nursing obligation until the agreed-upon period ends. This is because her usufruct (benefits) were acquired by a contract preceding his marriage, similar to if one purchased a slave girl under a lease agreement or a occupied house.