Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Some Companions, Followers (Tabi‘in), and Ibn Hazm, in light of this hadith, have prohibited the price of a cat. As for the majority (jumhur), among whom are included the four Imams, in their view this is also considered undesirable (tanzihi), as it is an action contrary to noble qualities or good character, though in principle it is permissible.

Imam al-Nasa’i rahimahullah said: This hadith is munkar, meaning it is contrary to authentic ahadith, and moreover, its narrators are also weak. In Sunan al-Tirmidhi as well, a hadith of similar meaning is reported from Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu, but that too is weak. The hadith scholars have not considered this exception to be authentic. Furthermore, if this exception is accepted, then the prohibition of the price of a dog would be nullified, because every dog can be made into a hunting dog. In other words, by accepting this exception, the original ruling would be completely abolished; therefore, this exception is not logically sound either. A detailed discussion has already passed under hadith number 4297.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه مسلم، المساقاة، باب تحريم ثمن الكلب، حديث:1569، وهو حديث صحيح، وحديث: "إلا كلب صيد" أخرجه النسائي، البيوع، حديث:4672 وسنده ضعيف، أبوالزبيرعنعن.»©Explanation:
➊ It is established from the mentioned hadith that the buying and selling of a cat is prohibited, whereas the majority of scholars have inclined towards its permissibility. According to them, the prohibition in this hadith refers to disliked (makruh tanzihi) status, and its buying and selling are also not considered among noble morals and chivalry.
➋ It is also not hidden that to divert the prohibition here from its real meaning without any contextual evidence (qarinah sarifah) is not correct, as Allamah Shawkani rahimahullah has stated.
➌ As for the addition regarding the exception of the hunting dog, Imam Nasa’i has said that it is munkar (rejected). And Imam Ibn Hibban has said that this hadith with this wording is invalid; it has no basis. This statement is from the author of Subul al-Salam.
➍ For further details regarding the exception of the hunting dog, see: Benefits and Issues of Hadith Number: 651.
Narrator of the hadith: «ابوزبیر رحمہ اللہ » Muhammad bin Muslim bin Tadris al-Asadi al-Makki rahimahullah.
He was a freed slave of Hakim bin Hizam and a Tabi’i.
There is consensus regarding his reliability and the validity of his narration.
He passed away in 128 Hijri.