"Salim has reached the age of manhood, and understands what men understand. He enters upon us, and I think that Abu Hudhaifah is not happy about that." The Prophet said: "Breast-feed him, and you will become unlawful to him." So she breast-fed him, and the displeasure of Abu Hudhaifah disappeared. She came back to him and said: "I breast-fed him and the displeasure of Abu Hudhaifah has disappeared."
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifah, was with Abu Hudhaifah and his family in their house. The daughter of Suhail came to the Prophet and said:
Context
In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ addresses a concern raised by the daughter of Suhail regarding Salim, a freed slave who had reached adulthood. The Prophet's ﷺ solution of breastfeeding Salim to establish a familial bond illustrates the innovative ways to resolve social concerns and maintain harmony within families.
Modern Application
This hadith highlights the importance of addressing social concerns with creative solutions. It encourages individuals to seek understanding and resolution in complex family dynamics, emphasizing the value of nurturing relationships.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Marriage and Breastfeeding because it discusses the establishment of familial bonds through breastfeeding, illustrating the importance of nurturing relationships.
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of the people do not know.
And We had prevented from him [all] wet nurses before, so she said, "Shall I direct you to a household that will be responsible for him for you while they are to him [for his upbringing] sincere?"
And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.
Lodge them [in a section] of where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them. And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth. And if they breastfeed for you, then give them their payment and confer among yourselves in the acceptable way; but if you are in discord, then there may breastfeed for the father another woman.
This hadith is #3329 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Marriage. It is graded Hasan and narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifah, was with Abu Hudhaifah and his family in their house. The daughter of Suhail came to the Prophet and said:.