2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلاَدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ...

2: 233. The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires, to complete the term.

C266. As this comes in the midst of the regulations on divorce, it applies primarily to cases of divorce, where some definite rule is necessary, as the father and mother would not, on account of the divorce, probably be on good terms, and the interests of the children must be safeguarded.

As, however, the wording is perfectly general, it has been held that the principle applies equally to the father and mother in wedlock: each must fulfil his or her part in the fostering of the child.

On the other hand, it is provided that the child shall not be used as an excuse for driving a hard bargain on either side. By mutual consent they can agree to some source that is reasonable and equitable, both as regards the period before weaning (the maximum being two years) and the engagement of a wet-nurse, or (by analogy) for artificial feeding.

But the mother's privileges must not be curtailed simply because by mutual consent she does not nurse the baby. In a matter of this kind the ultimate appeal must be to godliness, for all legal remedies are imperfect and may be misused.

... وَعلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ...

But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms.

C266a. i.e. in case of divorce. [Eds}.

... لاَ تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا...

No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear.

... لاَ تُضَآرَّ وَالِدَةٌ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلاَ مَوْلُودٌ لَّهُ بِوَلَدِهِ...

No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child.

... وَعَلَى الْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ ...

An heir shall be chargeable in the same way

... فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالاً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا...

if they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them.

... وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن تَسْتَرْضِعُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُمْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُم مَّآ آتَيْتُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ...

If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms.

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٢٣٣﴾

But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

Other versions:

2: 233

Asad And the [divorced] mothers may nurse their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the period of nursing; and it is incumbent upon him who ahs who has begotten the child to provide in a fair manner for their sustenance and clothing. No human being shall be burdened with more than he is well able to bear: neither shall a mother be made to suffer because of her child, nor, because of his child, he who has begotten it. And the same duty rests upon the [father’s] heir.

Yusuf Ali The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child nor father on account of his child. An heir shall be chargeable in the same way if they both decide on weaning by mutual consent and after due consultation there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring there is no blame on you provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

Pickthall Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No one should be charged beyond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on the (father's) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if ye wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for you, provided that ye pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what ye do.

Wal wa_lida_tu yurdi'na aula_dahunna haulaini ka_milaini liman ara_da ay yutimmar rada_'ah(ta), wa'alal maulu_di lahu_ rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bil ma'ru_f(i), la_ tukallafu nafsun illa_ wus'aha_, la_tuda_rra wa_lidatum bi waladiha_ wa la_ maulu_dul laha_ bi waladihi wa 'alal wa_risi mislu za_lik(a), fa in ara_da_ fisa_lan 'an tara_dim minhuma_ wa tasya_wurin fa la_ juna_ha 'alaihima_, wa in aradtum an tastardi'u_ aula_dakum fa la_ juna_ha 'alaikum iz a_sallamtum ma_ a_taitum bil ma'ru_f(i), wattaqulla_ha wa'lamu_ annalla_ha bima_ ta'malu_na basir(un).