Question:
Is trading in cats permissible? Also, if there is no intention of imitating or following the West, is it permissible to keep a cat at home?
Answer by Fadilatush Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi (may Allah preserve him) and Fadilatush Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (may Allah preserve him)
The Prophet ﷺ forbade dealing in the price of a cat (female or male). It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him):
“أَنّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَهَى عَنْ ثَمَنِ الْكَلْبِ، وَالسِّنَّوْرِ”.
“Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ forbade taking the price of a dog and a cat.”
Trading in cats:
In light of this hadith, it is clear that buying and selling a cat is not permissible in the Shariah. In accordance with the saying of the Prophet ﷺ, taking or giving a price for a cat has been prohibited, and this act has been declared haram.
Keeping a cat at home:
Regarding keeping a cat at home, it is clear that if a cat comes on its own or is found on the road and you bring it home and keep it, this is permissible. There is no prohibition in keeping a cat; rather, this act is permissible and correct.
A historical example:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to keep a cat with him. His real name was Abdur Rahman bin Sakhr, but his kunya “Abu Hurairah” became famous because of his love and attachment to a cat.
Imitating the West:
Imitating the West, whatever the intention behind it, is in itself a wrong and inappropriate act. Keeping a cat at home should not fall under imitation of the West; rather, if it is based on fondness and natural affection, there is no harm in it.
Conclusion:
- Trading in cats: haram, based on the textual evidence of the Shariah.
- Keeping a cat: if a cat comes on its own or is found on the road, keeping it is permissible.
- Imitating the West: whatever the intention, blind imitation of the West is un-Islamic and inappropriate.
