This article aims to examine the breastfeeding guidelines and related fiqh rulings as presented by the author of

Kitab Adab Perempuan. Data were collected using document analysis based on the text of Kitab Adab Perempuan

and subsequently analysed through content analysis. The findings reveal that breastfeeding guidelines have been

systematically documented over time to help women refer to and comprehend essential aspects of breastfeeding.

The Kitab Adab Perempuan, authored by Imam Ahmad b. Ya’qub al-Johori, was once used as a syllabus for

female students at Malay Religious Schools in Johor and several other states. However, scholarly research and

academic discussions on this work remain scarce, signifying the need for more comprehensive studies.

Keywords: Ethics, Guidelines, Breastfeeding, Mother’s Milk, Kitab Adab Perempuan

Breastfeeding is an essential practice emphasised in Islam. It has long been discussed from both Islamic and

women refer to them more easily and understand key aspects of breastfeeding more comprehensively.

In 1926, a book containing several chapters on breastfeeding guidance entitled Kitab Adab Perempuan (The

Book of Women’s Etiquette) was composed. The book was a Malay translation of an Arabic text by Ahmad b.

Ya’qub al-Johori — an author renowned for producing several religious works used as textbooks in schools

under the Johor Religious Department. Kitab Adab Perempuan was later employed as a syllabus for female

students in Malay Religious Schools in Johor and several other states in Malaysia.

The adab (ethics) and guidelines in the book reflect deeply moral values. The wisdom behind these etiquettes

and principles deserves to be explored and shared for the benefit of those involved in the practice of

breastfeeding. Hence, this study analyses the wisdom and guidelines on breastfeeding presented by the author.

This qualitative study employs document analysis as the primary method of data collection. The data were

Johori in 1926. Apart from his writing talent, Haji Ahmad b. Ya’qub al-Johori was also known as a prominent

chef who authored two recipe books entitled Medan Selera and Hidangan Terpilih — collections of recipes he

compiled, tested, refined, and personally endorsed for their quality. Following his passing, his wife, the late

Hajjah Jamaliah, continued his culinary legacy through the family spice business “al-Johori”, which remains in

operation today in Johor Bahru. In 2012, Shakesport Publishing reissued his culinary collection under the title

Nostalgia Medan Selera (Goodreads, 2022).

The Kitab Adab Perempuan was transliterated and republished by Akademi Jawi Malaysia in 2017, with multiple

print runs (Ahmad, 2019). The book comprises 31 lessons or chapters, beginning with “Marriage” and ending

with “Handicrafts”. The text is not a literal translation of the original Arabic but rather an adaptation

contextualised to the culture and lifestyle of the local Malay community. Generally, each issue in the book is

The author does not mention the specific surah or verse number in the text. This style mirrors the writing

conventions found in classical Malay manuscripts authored by scholars such as Tok Pulau Manis and Syeikh

Abdul Qadir Bukit Bayas (Zurita, 2017). This was because the general public of that period preferred concise

legal explanations without lengthy citation details.

Out of the 31 lessons contained in Kitab Adab Perempuan, five chapters specifically address the practice of

breastfeeding:

1. Lesson 10: Children’s Food

2. Lesson 11: Guidance for Mothers Who Breastfeed

3. Lesson 12: Rules of Breastfeeding

4. Lesson 13: Conduct When Breastfeeding Children

Breastfeeding is a practice prescribed by Allah s.w.t., as mentioned in both the Qur’an and the Hadith of the

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The benefits of breastfeeding are scientifically proven, not only for infants but also

for mothers. From a health perspective, breastfeeding helps the mother regain her physical form after childbirth,

assists in uterine contraction, reduces excessive bleeding, and strengthens the emotional bond between mother

and child (Zurita et al., 2019).

and elaborated upon below:

1. Understanding the benefits and virtues of breast milk

2. Maintaining the health of the nursing mother

3. Ensuring personal hygiene during breastfeeding

4. Managing an appropriate breastfeeding schedule

5. Observing proper breastfeeding conduct

6. Selecting a suitable wet nurse

“It has been observed as one of Allah’s blessings that a mother’s milk is a natural sustenance which completes

the life of her child. During pregnancy, the child lives by feeding on its mother’s blood, and after birth, that blood

transforms into milk — how wondrous is Allah’s wisdom!” (Ahmad, 2019)

The author highlights that breast milk is a divine provision essential for the child’s survival — a remarkable

manifestation of Allah’s wisdom. Modern science corroborates this understanding. Breast milk contains

antibodies that protect infants from infections, reducing cases of diarrhoea and other diseases compared to

formula-fed infants (The Asian Parent, n.d.). It also supports optimal brain development due to its rich content

of proteins, fats, and other vital nutrients (Consumers Association of Penang, 1990).

Furthermore, breastfeeding benefits mothers by lowering the risk of breast cancer, aiding uterine recovery, and

promoting healthy weight reduction after childbirth (Arini, 2013). Thus, scientific evidence affirms the truth of

In the context of modern pandemics such as Covid-19, nursing mothers must take additional precautions to

prevent infection for both themselves and their babies (Pandemik Covid-19: Cabaran Menyusukan Anak Buat

Ibu, 2020).

In Kitab Adab Perempuan, the author begins this discussion by stressing the importance of postnatal care:

“A mother should protect herself during the period of nifas from anything that may harm her health. She should

remain indoors for at least six weeks after childbirth, avoiding cold exposure, and wear warm clothing during

cool seasons to prevent illness.” (Ahmad, 2019)

This passage recommends three key practices: avoiding harmful activities, staying indoors for at least six weeks,

and keeping the body warm. The Malaysian Ministry of Health reports that confinement periods vary by

ethnicity: Malay women generally observe 40–44 days, while Chinese and Indian women observe about 30 days

Although certain postnatal customs lack direct religious proof, the advice to rest adequately after childbirth

remains medically sound. Medical studies show that women typically require 56–60 days postpartum for

In addition, the author prescribes a list of recommended foods for breastfeeding mothers, such as bread, porridge,

potatoes, milk, eggs, cauliflower, green beans, pumpkins, black radish, and ripe fruits. The best meats are goat,

veal, rabbit, chicken, and pigeon.

Conversely, mothers are advised to avoid excessive spices, immature fruits, salted vegetables, duck meat, dried

fish, and hard cheese — as these may harm the mother’s or infant’s health. He further warns:

“Avoid consuming medicines without medical advice, for they may alter the nature of the milk and affect the

nursing child.” (Ahmad, 2019)

These insights align closely with modern nutritionists’ recommendations, which emphasise iron-, calcium-, and

protein-rich foods such as meat, liver, eggs, milk, and soybeans (Rita Rahayu, 2012).

The Kitab Adab Perempuan further recommends breastfeeding the child seven or eight times daily, ideally every

three hours. Modern paediatric advice concurs: newborns generally require feeding every two to three hours

(Kent et al., 2012). A structured schedule benefits both mother and child by ensuring rest and sustaining milk

quality.

In Kitab Adab Perempuan, the author includes a subchapter entitled “The Obligation of a Mother to Breastfeed

Her Child.” At first glance, this statement may appear to contradict the Shafi‘i school’s position, which holds

that breastfeeding is not legally obligatory but rather encouraged.