The Blessing of the Mother’s Milk The Prophet (s.

The Blessing of the Mother’s Milk The Prophet (s.a.w.a) said: “There is no milk better for an infant than its mother’s milk.”(3) Imam ‘Ali (a.s) said: “There is no milk that the infant feeds on more blessing than its mother’s milk.”(4) The Duration of Nursing The Qur’an says: “And the mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years for the one who desires to complete the period of suckling …” (5) And, “… and We did enjoin upon man concerning his parents, did his mother bear him with fainting upon fainting and his weaning takes two years …” (6) Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Nursing is to twenty-one months, and anything less than that is an injustice to the infant.” (7) Choosing a Righteous Wet-nurse to Breastfeed Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Choose [a wet nurse] for breastfeeding [the infant] the same way that you choose someone for marriage, for milk changes one’s nature.” (8) Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Be aware of the one who breastfeeds your children, for a child will grow up based on that [milk].” (9) Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said: “Look for the milk of attractive wet nurses for your child, and avoid the milk of the unattractive ones, for milk transmits [the characteristics of the wet nurse to the child].” (10) Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said: “Choose clean and affectionate wet nurses, for milk transmits [the characteristics of the wet nurse to the child].” (11) Those Who Should Not Be Asked for Suckling The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Avoid letting your children suckle from debauch or insane women, for milk transmits [the characteristics of the wet-nurse to the child].” (12) The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Do not ask a foolish, blear-eyed or sick woman to breastfeed [your child], for milk transmits [the characteristics of the wet nurse to the child].” (13) The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Do not ask a foolish woman to breastfeed [your child], for milk transmits [the characteristics of the wet-nurse to the child] and the child will become resemblant to the milk, meaning in foolishness and idiocy.” (14) A l-Kafi : From ‘Ubaydullah al-Halabi who said: “I asked Abu ‘Abdullah [al-Sadiq] (a.s.): “Can I get a woman who is born from an adulterine person to breastfeed.” He answered: “No.