Infants, Parents and Wet Nurses: Medieval Islamic Views on Breastfeeding and Their Social Implications (Islamic History and Civilization: Studies and Texts)

This pioneering work, dealing with Islamic theories and practices of breastfeeding, provides a unique point of view on the lives of women and children, on family structure, and on marriage strategies in premodern as well as contemporary Muslim societies. This Volume Examines Early Islamic Theories And Practices Of Breastfeeding, Their Long-term Social Implications And Their Impact On The Lives Of Women And Children. In The Light Of The Impediments To Marriage Created, According To Islamic Law, By Nonmaternal Breastfeeding, The Author Also Explores The Role They Have Played In Wider Circles Of Social Life: How They Influenced The Way Relations Between Different Families Were Established, Reduced The Occurence Of Endogamous Marriages, And Created Semiprivate Spaces. This Is The First Comprehensive Research, Within Western Islamology, Devoted To The Subject, Serving As It Were As A Link Between Women's History And History Of Childhood. It Is Based On A Wide Range Of Religious Sources - From Qur'an, Qur'an Exegesis, Through Hadith To Legal Writings - As Well As On Medieval Arabic Medical Compilations. Introduction: A History Of Breastfeeding ---- I. The Foundations Of An Islamic Ethics Of Breastfeeding ---- Ii. Breastfeeding In Arabic-islamic Medicine ---- Iii. Islamic Legal Views On Breastfeeding ---- Iv. Theories Of Breastfeeding In Practice -- Past And Present ---- Appendixes. By Avner Giladi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: A “History of Breastfeeding” Chapter One The Foundations of an Islamic “Ethics of Breastfeeding” Breastfeeding in the Qur’ān and in Qur’ān commentaries Breastfeeding in Early “Oral Tradition” Chapter Two Breastfeeding in Arabic-Islamic Medicine By the Mother or A Wet Nurse? Wet Nursing The Nurse and Her Milk When and How to Wean Chapter Three Islamic Legal Views on Breastfeeding Breastfeeding as a Legal Theme Laban al-faḥl Ṣifat al-raḍā‘ ‘Adad al-raḍā‘ al-muḥarrim Raḍā‘ al-kabīr Raḍā‘ min al-mayyita The Nursling The Parents The Father and His Responsibilities The Nursing Mother The Wet Nurse Chapter Four Theories of Breastfeeding in Practice—Past and Present Appendices Appendix One: Glossary of Arabic Terms Designating Child Feeding The Arabic Text Glossary Appendix Two: Milk Banking: Some Islamic Points of View Introduction The Arabic Text Bibliography Index ISIAMIC HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION