Freezing breast milk
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Allah (SWA) in the Holy Quran has said
“And mothers suckle their children full two years; it is for one who wants to complete the (period of) suckling.” (Surah Baqarah v.233)
From the above verse we can deduce that the total time given for suckling is for two lunar years after which suckling should not be done. However, on the basis of some verses of the Holy Quran and reports from the ahadith, Imam Abu Hanifah (RA) ruled that if it was carried on over a period of 30 months all the legal effects of suckling should be applicable. But breast-feeding a child after completing 30 months is unanimously haraam. (Maariful Quran p.603 v.1)
With regards to your question, it will be permissible to freeze breast milk so that it may be used later on to feed future offspring of ones self or others. (Nizamul Fatawa p.394 v.1)
It is not necessary that the milk had to be suckled from a woman’s breast as according to the Hanafi School of Thought, fostering (radhaah) is with the hardening of bones and growth of flesh and this will take place whether the milk is drunk either by suckling on the breast or from a bottle. (Al-Mughni p.537-p.538 v.7)
The conclusion we can come to is that by freezing breast milk, fostering will be established if it was drunk by future offspring. However, the condition is that the child is under 30 months as if a child older than 30 months drinks the milk then no fostering relationship will be established. (Raddul Muhtar p.421 v.4)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
