Is It Haram to Have Cats? Everything Muslims Need to Know

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Is It Haram to Have Cats? ~ Hi readers! Cats are gentle and adorable animals. Perhaps these qualities are why many people choose to keep them as pets. Some are even willing to spend a significant amount of money to acquire the cat they desire. But the question remains: Does Islam allow a Muslim to keep cats? As Muslims, it's essential for us to understand this matter. That's why I've written this article.

Understanding Islamic Teachings About Cats

Before directly addressing whether it is haram (prohibited) to have cats, let's first explore some general principles in Islam that serve as the basis for determining the answer:

• Maintaining Purity: A Muslim must always strive to maintain the purity of their body and surroundings.
• Avoiding Harm: Islam strictly prohibits harming any living being, whether human or animal.

Are Cats Unclean Animals in Islam?

To answer this, let's refer to the following hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Hadith About Cats

عَنْ أَبِيْ قَتَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : فِيْ الْهِرَّةِ : إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِنَجَسٍ ، إِنَّمَا هِيَ مِنَ الطَّوَافِيْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ . أَخْرَجَهُ الْأَرْبَعَةُ وَ إِبْنُ خُزَيْمَةَ

Translation:

From Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said about cats: "Indeed, it is not unclean. It is among the animals that frequently roam around you." This hadith was narrated by four scholars (Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah) and also by Ibn Khuzaimah.

Is It Haram to Shower Naked in Islam?

From this hadith, it is clear that cats are not considered unclean in Islam. Therefore, it is permissible for Muslims to touch and interact with cats without concern for ritual impurity.

Is Keeping Cats Harmful to Them?

Another important question to address is whether keeping a cat at home causes the animal harm or distress.

• If Valid Evidence Proves Harm: If it can be proven with reliable evidence that keeping a cat at home causes it pain or suffering, then keeping cats would be prohibited in Islam.
• If Cats Feel Comfortable: On the other hand, if cats are well-cared for and feel safe, comfortable, and happy in their owner's care, then keeping them is permissible.

The key principle to remember is kindness to animals. This principle extends not only to cats but also to all other animals.

Conclusion

Dear readers, that's a brief explanation of the question: "Is it haram to have cats?" To summarize:

• Cats are not considered unclean animals in Islam.
• Keeping cats as pets is allowed as long as they are treated with kindness and their well-being is ensured.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

Thank you for reading this article. I hope it has been helpful. May Allah bless you!

See you in the next article!