Review the Importance of Breastfeeding from the Perspective of the Holy Quran and Medical Literature

Background: Mother's breast milk is the sole and best food for a neonate. It is one of the blessings of Almighty God that is physiologically given to the child through the mother’s breast. Breastfeeding is one of the issues receiving special attention in the Holy Quran. Nowadays, this issue has been explored and investigated in scientific and medical literature. In the present review, the importance of breastfeeding was examined from the reported medical scientific studies and articles and compared with the verses of the Holy Quran and authentic Islamic traditions. Methods: This study was a review developed by PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using predetermined keywords. Authentic valid narrations related to breastfeeding in Arabic and articles published in English during 2014-2024 on its importance in neonatal health were selected by the present researchers. After applying inclusion criteria, the papers related to this topic were screened by experts for suitability. Results: This review included one verse of the Holy Quran, 3 valid authentic Islamic traditions, and 6 scientific medical literature highlighting the importance of mothers’ breastfeeding. Thematic analysis indicated the health and safety of mothers during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding time are important points in the Holy Quran and traditions emphasized by researchers. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the results of scientific medical literature, like the Holy Quran, emphasized the importance of breastfeeding. There are special instructions for breastfeeding in the Holy Quran. Today, the guidelines of the Quran in this field of study are emphasized in scientific research articles.