Q: I married the daughter of my maternal aunt nine years ago and Allah blessed us with children. My maternal uncle (my mother's brother) was breastfed by my mother many times. Now, am I (the husband of the daughter of my maternal aunt) considered a maternal milk-uncle to my wife? If so is true, what should I do? (Part No. 21; Page No. 98

A: The breastfeeding that prohibits marriage takes place only if the baby has five times of suckling or more during the first two years of their life. Every time a baby holds a breast and sucks milk and then leaves it to take a breath or to be moved to another breast, then this is to be counted as one suckling, and so forth until five times of suckling are counted. If the times of suckling are less than five, even if they are four times of suckling, then this breastfeeding does not prohibit marriage. Mentioning the women forbidden for marriage, Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...your foster mothers who gave you suck, your foster milk suckling sisters. It is reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, : Milk relationships are equal to blood relationships in rendering marriage unlawful i.e., whatever is prohibited due to blood relationships is also prohibited by milk relationships. It is also related by Muslim that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: It had been revealed in the Noble Qur'an that ten clear sucklings make marriage unlawful, then it was abrogated (and substituted) by five clear sucklings and Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) died while it was recited as Qur'an." It is also related on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: One suckling or two do not make (marriage) unlawful. (Related by Muslim) The breastfeeding that can act as a cause of prohibition of marriage is the one described above. Your maternal aunt has nothing to do with the fact that your maternal uncle was breastfed by your mother since the ruling is only applied to the one who was breastfed. Since your aunt was not breastfed by your mother, her daughter is lawful for you to marry. (Part No. 21; Page No. 99) May Allah grant us success. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!