QUESTION

Is it permissible for a woman to breastfeed a baby while she prays?

ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

No, it is not permissible for a woman to breastfeed a baby while she prays. The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Verily within the prayer there are actions (that keep one busy)." [1]

So there is no doubt that breastfeeding is a seperate affair, one that interferes with and nullifies one's focus on the prayer. So then it is not permissible for a woman to feed her child while praying, not from her breast, and not from a bottle.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #1216 (3/108 of Fat-hul-Baaree)

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AAMB033, dated 1423/7/25.

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