Mollagee, Rawieyah2026-04-232026-04-232021https://repository.iou.edu.gm/handle/123456789/590As Muslims, the guidelines to a well-balanced life are precisely and meticulously defined in the Quran. Thus, both the spiritual and physical health and well-being of the child becomes the responsibility of every parent. Breastfeeding is an integral part of the prescribed Islamic doctrines, providing the best nourishment for the infant. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was breastfed. The Almighty sets out instruction for an infant to be breastfed. “Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years…” Quran 2:233. Therefore, there must be great significance to this act of breastfeeding from an Islamic perspective noting that Islam does not advocate anything except that it is to the utmost benefit to humanity. Islam was brought to the shores of South Africa in the middle 17th century and remained for more than 360 years. The indigenous Muslim population of South Africa constitutes primarily of Malays and Indians. This study aims to present trends of breastfeeding practices among Muslim women in the Western Province, South Africa of Indian or Malay descent. The study will identify breastfeeding trends according to age, marital status, educational level, and socio- economic status. Primary resources in the form of self – administered questionnaires were employed. No in person interviews were conducted due to the Covid 19 government restrictions. Secondary resources included the review of books, journal articles and online articles. The descriptive study design employs both a qualitative as well as quantitative techniques as a mixed method approach. The primary research took place at a private maternity clinic, Al -Nisa Maternity Home. Participants was recruited by a staff member of the maternity institute. The study population included women from the Indian and Malay Muslim community. Participants were of varying ages and qualified at different levels of education. General demographic information was requested from the participants. The questionnaire covered basic questions about breastfeeding practices. The findings show that Muslim women choose to breastfeed. Their decision to breastfeed was not affected by their age, their level of education or their occupation. They also display a reasonable understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding, primarily for the infant. However, their knowledge and grasp of the benefits of breastfeeding benefits for the mother was limited. As to what follows is a survey and discussion of the breastfeeding trends among Muslims in the Western Province of South Africa bearing in mind that breastfeeding is a recommended Islamic practice, and that Islam has been in South Africa for almost 400 years. The findings of this study documents that factors influencing their choices to breastfeed were varying with religion not being the main reason for their choice. With all aspects taken into consideration, in closure the data gathered from the research conducted confirms some breastfeeding trends. However, the small sample size justifies further research on the topic in order to gain a full understanding of breastfeeding trends among Muslims in the Western Province of South Africa.IslambreastfeedingMuslimsIndianMalaytrendsThesis