Read this news:
Bangladesh closes breast milk bank after 'widespread criticism'
A Bangladesh hospital has suspended plans to give donated breast milk to babies after a backlash by Muslim clerics who said the scheme violated Islamic law.
And this one:
Islamic scholars say that the initiative goes against the Islamic concept of “milk kinship” and creates problems for family law,
And this one:
Islamic Fatwa: Only Muslim mothers' milk will be provided to Muslim babies (i.e. even milk of animals like cow and goats is acceptible, but the milk of a non-Muslim mother is not acceptable in Islam).
Remember:
- Breastfeeding does not alter DNA.
- Therefore, no genetic diseases will occur if so-called foster siblings marry each other.
- They are actually more protected against genetic diseases compared to the cousin marriages common in Islam. Cousins share 12.5% common genes, but the so-called foster siblings share no common genes despite hundreds of times of breastfeeding the same woman.
- Additionally, no sibling bond develops among infants who drink the milk of the same woman. However, a significant sibling bond exists in cousin marriages among Muslims.
This concept (i.e. breastfeeding the milk of same woman make you siblings) originated from the traditions of Arab society during a time of ignorance, and Muhammad adhered to it without intervention from an All-Knowing Allah to correct the mistake.
It is worth reflecting on the similarity of this concept with certain aspects found in Hinduism, where cows are regarded as mothers due to drinking their milk, as described in their religious texts.
Why mother's Milk is the only option?
Pakistan is among the countries with the highest infant mortality rates. According to UNICEF statistics, 54 out of every 1,000 newborns die. Under the SDG goals, Pakistan has committed to reducing this rate to 12 per 1,000.
The World Health Organization recommends that all children be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding along with complementary foods up to the age of two years. Premature and low-birth-weight babies who are fed anything other than mother's milk face health complications and an increased risk of infections, which can lead to death. Therefore, it is crucial to provide mother's milk to save the lives of these newborns.
Muhammad adopted the practice of Milk Kinship from his Arab Pagan Culture
The Bible (Jews and Christians) or Magians, Hindus etc. didn't practice any milk kinship. But this concept was present in pre-Islam Arab culture of the time of ignorance.
And Muhammad copied this practice from them.
Remember, no changes occur in DNA due to breastfeeding the same woman (or due to drinking milk from the same cow).
However, there are 12.5% common genes between first cousins, but Islam still allowed this incestuous marriage.
Hassan Radwan