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Testimony of one woman confirms breastfeeding relationship according to some scholars

Question

My question is that I have a cousin who I wanted to marry but the problem is that my mother says I was breastfeeded by my cousin's mother. Now when I asked my cousin's mother she refuses and says she didn't breastfeed me. Now in such situation what should be done as girl's side say no milk was taken my boy baby, but boy's mother says milk was given(I.e child was breast feeded).

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

There is a difference of opinion among jurists regarding accepting the testimony of one woman in affirming the breastfeeding relationship as explained in Fatwa 92286. Given the present dubiousness, you are advised to refrain from marrying this woman since the scholarly opinion that accepts the testimony of one woman in affirming the breastfeeding relationship is rather strong.

If your mother affirms that breastfeeding took place while that woman denies it, then the testimony of your mother is given precedence. This woman may have forgotten about the breastfeeding. Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah fi Al-Fataawa An-Najdiyyah reads: "Shaykh Hasan ibn Husayn ibn ‘Ali was asked about when a woman testifies that such-and-such woman had breastfed a certain child five feedings...etc. He replied: Her testimony is accepted in affirming the breastfeeding relationship even if the woman who breastfed the child herself denied it. This is because in relation to testimony affirmation is given priority over negation."

This is, of course, based on the scholarly opinion which accepts the testimony of one woman in affirming the breastfeeding relationship.

Anyway, if you abstain from marrying this girl (in order to evade the doubt), Allaah will hopefully bless you with a better wife. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {… And whoever fears Allaah - He will make for him a way out * And will provide for him from where he does not expect…} [Quran 65:2-3]

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "You will never give up something for the sake of Allaah, but Allaah will give you something better in return." [Ahmad]

You should not feel sorrow for missing the opportunity; Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {…But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allaah Knows, while you know not.} [Quran 2:216]

Allaah Knows best.

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