In the Name of Allāh,

the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Resolution No. 6 (6/2) Human Milk Banks

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, holding its 2nd session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 10–16 Rabīʿ al-Awwal 1406H (22–28 December 1985),

Having reviewed the two jurisprudential and medical studies submitted to the Academy concerning Human Milk Banks,

Having examined and discussed in-depth the two studies concerning the different aspects of the issue,

It became evident that:

First: The concept and experiment of human milk banks are a new phenom- enon initiated in the Western nations; however, in its practice, certain scientific and technical adverse effects were detected, thus causing a decline in its use and lack of interest in it.

Second: To Islam, breastfeeding creates a bond similar to a lineage bond and forbids, according to the consensus of Muslim scholars, precisely the same due to actual lineage relationship. One of the objectives of Shariah is to safeguard the progeny of a person, whereas human milk banks lead to confusions and doubts. Third: The social structure in the Muslim world is such that it can fulfill the needs of a premature or a weak child who is in lack of natural breastfeeding from human milk (in some exceptional cases), thus eliminating the dependency

on human milk banks.

Resolves

First: The establishment of human milk banks should be prohibited in the Muslim world.

Second: It is prohibited to feed a Muslim child with milk from these banks.

Indeed, Allāh is All-Knowing.