Islamic Perspectives on Milk Banking: Jurisprudence, Public-Health Implications, and Practical Recommendations for Donor Human Milk Programs

Abstract

This paper examines the ethical, jurisprudential, and practical dimensions of human milk banking within Islamic contexts, with particular attention to the classical doctrine of raḍāʿah (milk kinship) and its implications for contemporary neonatal care. While donor human milk (DHM) is internationally recognized as the optimal alternative when a mother’s own milk is unavailable—especially for preterm and medically fragile infants—Muslim families often face religious concerns related to inadvertent milk kinship, lineage confusion, and the permissibility of anonymous milk pooling. Drawing upon authoritative juristic opinions, contemporary fatwās, and relevant biomedical literature, the study highlights key areas of scholarly agreement and disagreement regarding the acceptability of milk donation, pasteurization processes, and record-keeping requirements. It also explores emerging scientific claims, including epigenetic effects and cellular transfer, assessing their relevance to Islamic legal reasoning. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the paper evaluates current milk bank practices such as donor screening, Holder pasteurization, inventory management, and identity documentation, proposing culturally sensitive models—such as small-pool or single-donor systems—to mitigate religious objections. The study concludes with policy-oriented recommendations for clinicians, religious authorities, and milk banks to ensure that DHM programs remain both medically effective and compliant with Islamic ethical norms, thereby supporting equitable neonatal care for Muslim communities.