Religious Islamic scholars in Tajikistan and Pakistan have issued a fatwa declaring human milk banks haram (forbidden) due to concerns about the potential familial implications for children who consume milk from the same woman.
Islamic scholars argue that children fed from the same donor could be considered milk siblings, potentially leading to unintended matrimonial connections if these children were to marry each other in the future.
The clerics’ reasoning extends to a belief, expressed with a degree of irony, that a woman’s breast milk possesses the power to alter a child’s DNA, thereby making any child who consumes it her biological son or daughter. This is scientifically incorrect as breast milk does not change DNA, and those questioning this claim are encouraged to confirm it through a DNA test.
The fatwa further elaborates on the implications of these beliefs with a hypothetical scenario: A single man adopts a baby girl and raises her as his own, with both parties believing in their familial bond. As the girl reaches adulthood, according to the clerics, she would be considered non-mahram (marriageable) to him under Islamic law because she is not his biological daughter. This would necessitate that they could marry under Islamic rules, or, if they maintain their familial roles, she would need to observe purdah (veil) with him.
The controversial fatwa illuminates complex interpretations of Islamic law concerning social and familial relationships, sparking discussions on the intersection of tradition, religion, and modern societal needs.
