only after two years of age, then no Tahrim will be established. At-Tirmidhi under Chapter: ‘Suckling establishes Tahrim within the first two years,’ reported that Umm Salamah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

“Suckling establishes TaJirim if it is on the breast and before Fitam (before weaning, i.e., before the end of the first hvo years),”

At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. The majority of the people of knowledge among the Companions of Allah’s Messenger and others acted upon this, that is that suckling establishes Tahrim (prohibition in marriage) before the end of the two years and that whatever occurs after that does not establish Tahrim". At-Tirmidhi is alone in recording this Hadith and the narrators in its chain meet the criteria of the Sahihayn. The Prophet’s statement:

“Oh the breast” refers to the organ of suckling before the two years. Imam Ahmad reported a Hadith in which Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib narrated, “When Ibrahim, the Prophet’s son, died, the Prophet said:

“My son has died on the breast and he has someone to suckle him in Paradise.”

Furthermore, Ad-Daraqutni related that Ibn ‘Abbas said that Allah’s Messenger said:

“Suckling establishes Tahrim only within the (first) two years.”

Imam Malik reported this Hadith from Thawr bin Zayd who narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas related it to the Prophet. Ad-Dahhak commented, “If the husband divorces his wife, with whom he had a child, and she suckles that child, he is required to provide for the mother’s expenses and clothes within reason.”

No Darar (Harm) or Dir dr (Revenge)

Allah said:

meaning, the mother should not decline to rear her child to harm its father. The mother does not have the right to refrain from suckling the child after giving birth, unless she suckles him/her the milk that is necessary for his/her survival. Later on, she is allowed to give up custody of the child as long as she does not do that intending to harm the father. In addition, the father is not allowed to take the child from his mother to harm the mother. This is why Allah said:

meaning, by taking the child from its mother intending to harm the mother. This is the Tafsir of Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, Az-Zuhri, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri and Ibn Zayd, and others on this Ayah.

Allah then said:

meaning, by refraining from harming the relative (of the father, i.e., his infant), as Mujahid, Ash-ShaTai and Ad-Dahhak stated.

It was also reported that (the Ayah requires) the inheritor (of the father) to spend on the mother of the child, just as the father was spending, and to preserve her rights and refrain from harming her, according to the Tafsir of the majority of the scholars. We should state that Ibn Jarir has explained this subject in detail in his Tafsir and that he also stated that suckling the child after the second year might harm the child’s body and mind. Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that ‘Alqamah asked a woman who was suckling her child after the second year ended, not to do that.

Fitam (weaning) occurs by Mutual Consent

Allah said:

This Ayah indicates that if the father and the mother decide on the Fitam (weaning) before the two years (of suckling) end, and for a benefit that they duly discuss and agree upon, then there is no sin in this case. So, the Ayah indicates that one parent is not allowed to make this kind of decision without duly consulting the other parent, as stated by Ath-Thawri. The method of mutual consultation protects the child’s interests. It is also a mercy from Allah to His servants, for He has legislated the best method for parents to rear their children, and His legislation guides and directs the parents and the children to success. Similarly, Allah said in Surat At-Tal&q (chapter 65 in the Qur’an):

{Then if they give suck to the children for you, give them their due payment, and let each of you accept the advice of the other in a just way. But if you make difficulties for one another, then some other woman may give suck for him (the father of the child).} 65:6

Allah then said:

meaning, if the mother and the father both agree that the father assumes custody of the child due to a circumstance that compels her or allows him to do so, then there is no sin in this case. Hence, the mother is allowed to give up the child and the father is allowed to assume custody of the child. The father should kindly give the mother her expenses for the previous period (during which she reared and suckled the child), and he should seek other women to suckle his child for monetary compensation. Thereafter, Allah said:

{And fear Allah} meaning, in all of your affairs,

{And know that Allah is All-Seer of what you do} meaning, none of your affairs or speech escapes His perfect Watch.