A woman not covering in front of someone whom she has breastfed in a way that creates the relationship of Mahram

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Q 5: My foster mother veils herself from me and orders her daughters to veil themselves from me. What is the religious ruling on this? Should I advise them with regard to the relation of breastfeeding? Will I be blamed for not visiting them?

A: If it is authentically reported that this woman breast-fed you at least five times, she is your foster mother and her daughters are your foster sisters and it is permissible for them to take their veil off in your presence just as they may take it off in the presence of their Mahrams, i.e. Unmarriageable relatives. It is also permissible for you to sit in Khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex) with them; because you are one of their Mahrams. However, they do not have to take their veils off in your presence if they do not want to. You will not be committing a sin if you do not visit them, especially if they do not want you to visit them; because they are not the relatives whom you have to maintain ties of kinship with. But it is desirable to maintain ties of kinship with them if you can out of showing gratitude.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.