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In the Islamic tradition, marriage between milk siblings (children who were breastfed by the same woman) is strictly prohibited. At first glance, some critics—particularly atheists or secular thinkers—argue that since there is no genetic relationship, there should be no restriction. However, both modern science and rational psychology strongly validate this Islamic injunction.
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1. What is a Milk Sibling?
Milk siblings are children who were breastfed by the same woman, even if they have no blood relation. According to Islamic law (Shariah), they become non-mahram to each other and are forbidden to marry, just like biological siblings.
Qur’anic Reference:
> "Forbidden to you [for marriage] are... your foster mothers who nursed you and your foster sisters."
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:23)
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2. Scientific Viewpoint: Genetics is Not Everything
Indeed, milk siblings do not share DNA or genetic lineage. But science today acknowledges that relationships are more than just biology. Psychological, neurological, and hormonal interactions matter just as much—and sometimes more.
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3. The Westermarck Effect: Scientific Proof of Natural Aversion
In 1891, Finnish anthropologist Edvard Westermarck proposed a theory known as the Westermarck Effect, which suggests:
> "Children who grow up in close domestic proximity during the early years of life become desensitized to sexual attraction to one another."
Case Study: Kibbutz Communities in Israel
In communal child-rearing systems, children raised together rarely marry each other.
A study of thousands of individuals showed that those raised closely from birth to age 6 developed a natural aversion to romantic relationships with each other.
This validates the Islamic stance that milk siblings, often nursed and nurtured together, form a sibling-like bond that instinctively lacks sexual attraction.
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4. Hormonal and Emotional Bonding in Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not just a feeding process; it is a biological bonding mechanism.
Hormones like Oxytocin (the "love hormone") and Prolactin are released in both the mother and the child.
These hormones create strong emotional attachments, similar to those between real mother and child.
If multiple children are breastfed by the same woman, these children experience similar emotional imprinting, making them feel psychologically like siblings.
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5. Social and Psychological Wisdom
Islamic law takes into account more than just physical aspects. It considers:
Social integrity
Emotional comfort
Long-term mental well-being
Allowing marriage between milk siblings could cause discomfort, confusion, or even trauma in many cases.
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6. Islam's Divine Wisdom in Light of Modern Science
1400 years ago, Islam prohibited such marriages not based on visible DNA science but based on divine knowledge of human nature. Today, science is finally catching up:
Psychology proves the formation of familial bonds without blood.
Neuroscience proves hormonal influence on emotional ties.
Sociology proves the risk of instability in relationships that feel "familial."
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Conclusion: Islamic rulings are not arbitrary; they are rooted in deep human wisdom, ethics, and even biological realities. While milk siblings may not share blood, they share something just as significant—emotional and psychological kinship.
Thus, Islam’s prohibition is not just a religious doctrine but a scientifically sound and psychologically healthy approach to preserving human dignity, emotional clarity, and social harmony.
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