Q: Is it forbidden to breastfeed a child for more than two years?

A: Breast-feeding is the right of an infant as it is necessary to him. It is (Part No. 21; Page No. 60) for the young like providing provision to the old. The complete term of breastfeeding is two years. Allah (Exalted be He) says, 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 may be less than that. He (Exalted be He) says, If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them. Lessening the time of breastfeeding is conditional upon the parents' consent and consultation, which should not cause the least harm to the child if s/he is breastfed for less than two years, on account of the generality of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying, There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm If it is known that breastfeeding is in the right of the child, and that it is not permissible to wean him before two years if this may harm him, then the mother is permitted to continue breastfeeding him after the two years if this would be in his interest. Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) said, in his Tuhfat-ul-Mawdud Fi Ahkam-ul-Mawlud, "A mother may continue breastfeeding a child after the two years until the half or more of the third year." (Part No. 21; Page No. 61) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his Family, and Companions.