Q 1: I am the third child in my family. My milk-mother is the mother of a girl from another family. Is this girl considered the milk-sister of all my brothers, the younger and the older? What about her half sisters from another mother?

A: Firstly: The breastfeeding that renders marriage unlawful is five or more times during the first two years. Allah (Exalted be He) states: The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling It is related on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: "It was among the revelation of the Qur'an that ten known times of breastfeeding make the marriage prohibited, but this was later abrogated and reduced to five. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) died and the ruling remained effective."One time of breastfeeding is when the child holds the breast and sucks milk. If the child leaves the breast and then holds it again to suck milk, this is considered a second time.If it is proven that the girl's mother or step-mother has breastfed you in the stated manner, you are the milk-brother of this girl, and all her full and half paternal and maternal brothers and sisters. However, it is permissible for any of your brothers to marry this girl or any of her (Part No. 21; Page No. 68) sisters, and you being her milk-brother does not make such marriage unlawful.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.