Is a married woman entitled to breastfeed her child for wages if her husband consents?

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

When the mother married to a non-mahram man requests to breastfeed her child for a wage equal to the customary rate, provided her husband gives permission, her right is established. She is then considered more entitled to the child's breastfeeding than any other woman. This is because the mother's right to breastfeed was only restricted due to the right of her husband; once he permits it, the barrier is removed, and she becomes like a woman who is not married. The evidence is derived from establishing her priority when the impediment is lifted.