Question
As-salaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barrakaatuhu yaaa habiibtii!
insha'Allaah these questions find you in good health and imaan and may Allaah ta`ala reward you for having such a Q&A for sisters AAMIIN!
1) As mine and my husband's family are non-muslim, can we consider ANY of them to be Mahram? Must we be fully covered in front of all of them at all times? I have been doing so for the past 11 months or so, but now I am wondering if it is permissible for my sister- who will be starting puberty soon, insha'Allaah, or my mother or my husband's female family to see me breastfeed?
2) I was also wondering if it permissible for a child to sleep in the same bed as the parents if they dislike sleeping alone, as I have read a hadith which tells you to keep your children close at night, as the shayateen snatch at things in the night..? and if so, up to what age would this be? My child is only 6 months old and sleeps with me often and sometimes me and my husband... so what age would this be permissible until? And if it is also permissible for the child to see awrah and until what age?
3) I was also wondering if a child should be EXCLUSIVELY breastfed for the first 2 years? or if it is permissible to introduce certain foods into the diet, except other animals milk (as I have read that animal milk isn't allowed, but please correct me if this is wrong, insha'Allaah)? If so, what age could this be done at?
jazakumallaahu khayran for reading ukhti and insha 'Allaah I look forward to your reply!
Answer
Masha- Allah, your dedication in observing Hijab, and good character towards your family and in-laws, will invite them to Islam, Insha-Allah. 1. It will not be correct for you to breastfeed openly in front of anyone, as this is against Hayaa (modesty). We would advise you to take a long shawl or sheet and cover your chest area when it's time to feed your baby. In the case of necessity, Hijab from your Muslim or non-Muslim sister will be from your navel to your knees. (Mukhtasar al kodoori pg 742). This means that in the case of necessity, it would be permissible for your sister/mother to see your remaining body. Cases of necessity would be like if you are ill and need help in the bathroom or dressing, even so it will not be advisable for your mother or sister to look un-necessarily at you. It is reported from Zaid ibn Talha (R.A), he said that the Prophet (Sallallahu`alaihi wasallam) said, “Every religion has a distinctive quality, and the distinctive quality of Islam is Modesty.” (Muwatta, Ibne-Maajah) Abu Huraira (R.A) has said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu`alaihi wasallam) said, “Modesty is part of faith and faith is in paradise………..” (Ahmad,Tirmizi) 2. It will be permissible for your 6 month old to sleep with you, up to an age that he/she can sleep through the night without being afraid or in need of being fed. Once again, for your child to see your Awrah is not correct, as this will instill in him/her that this is o.k. As the saying goes that the mother’s lap is the first classroom/school for her child. In light of the Ahaadith quoted above, we would advise you not to open your Awrah in front of the baby. 3. A baby’s digestive system is suited to milk only, in its first three to four months. However from four months onwards we generally start to introduce solid foods slowly, like cereals and mashed fruit or vegetables etc. with the advice of his/her doctor. You may ask your doctor about goat/cow milk and when it could be introduced. Islamically there is nothing wrong in this. We hope that this answers your questions. May Allah SWT make your child and all the children of this Ummah, the coolness of our eyes, Aamin.And Allah knows best.
Ask Alimah Team
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