Has Genetic Engineering an Effect on Foster Relationships Through Breastmilk?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I need help in understanding the concept of Foster relationship in Islam as nowadays Genetic modifications by scientists have given rise to cows that produce human breast milk by inserting human female DNA.

Could you provide me the comprehensive answer on this issue as Genetic Engineering is becoming a reality?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

The issue of genetic engineering has no effect on foster relationships through breastmilk (raḍāʿa). Even if some human DNA is inserted into a cow or a sheep, the apparent is that milk is that of the animal, and animal milk does not have any bearing on foster relationships amongst humans (Abul-Husayn al-Quduri, Mukhtasar al-Quduri). And Allah knows best,

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.