Muslim scholars state that the ideal period of breast-feeding a child is two years. If it has been authentically proven that completing the breastfeeding for two whole years is beneficial for the wellbeing of the baby as well as the mother, then parents should be keen to breastfeed their babies for two whole years. In this case, completing the breastfeeding for two complete years is a recommended and a praiseworthy act as it will go in parallel with the Qur’anic verse in which Allah Almighty says, “And the mothers may nurse their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the period of nursing…And if both (parents) decide, by mutual consent and counsel, upon weaning the child, they will incur no sin (thereby); and if you decide to entrust your children to foster-mothers, you will incur no sin provided you ensure, in a fair manner, the safety of the child which you are handing over. But remain conscious of Allah, and know that Allah sees all that you do.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 233)
In this regard, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following: Allah Almighty says, “And the mothers may nurse their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the period of nursing…And if both (parents) decide, by mutual consent and counsel, upon weaning the child, they will incur no sin (thereby); and if you decide to entrust your children to foster-mothers, you will incur no sin provided you ensure, in a fair manner, the safety of the child which you are handing over. But remain conscious of Allah, and know that Allah sees all that you do.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 233)
Based on the above verses as well as the relevant traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), scholars have concluded that the ideal period of breast-feeding a child is two years.
Parents are allowed to wean a child before the expiry of two years —provided they do so based on consensual agreement and provided doing so would not jeopardize the health of the child. Children vary in their need for breast-milk because of the differences in their development and health considerations. This is why the Shari`ah has not laid down any hard and fast rule in this regard. The decision when to wean a child is left to parents, who are instructed to exercise it by considering primarily the welfare of the child involved.
If, therefore, it has been determined that weaning a particular child before two years is considered detrimental to the normal health of the child, it shall be considered haram (unlawful) for parents to do so, as we are not allowed to jeopardize the wellbeing of a child.