✿ Answer by: Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh & Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Is It Permissible to Trade Cats?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly prohibited the sale and purchase of cats. It is narrated from Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh رضي الله عنه:
“The Prophet ﷺ forbade the price of dogs and cats.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3479)
Based on this ḥadīth:
- Trading cats (buying or selling) is not permissible in Sharīʿah.
- Accepting or giving money for a cat is ḥarām, as the Prophet ﷺ prohibited it.
❖ Keeping a Cat at Home
As for keeping a cat at home, the following rulings apply:
- If a cat comes on its own, or is found along the way and is brought home,
- Then it is permissible to keep and care for it.
- There is no prohibition in Sharīʿah on keeping cats for companionship or affection.
❖ Historical Example
- Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, a prominent companion of the Prophet ﷺ,
- Was known for keeping a cat with him, hence his kunyah (nickname) “Abū Hurayrah”—meaning Father of the Kitten.
- His real name was ʿAbdur-Raḥmān ibn Ṣakhr, and his affection for cats is well-known in Islamic history.
❖ Western Imitation
- Blind imitation of Western culture is inherently disapproved, regardless of the intention.
- However, keeping a cat as a natural expression of affection or personal interest does not constitute prohibited imitation,
- Provided it is not done to follow non-Islamic trends or values.
❖ Summary
✔ Trading Cats:
- Ḥarām, based on clear prophetic instruction.
✔ Keeping Cats at Home:
- Permissible, if the cat comes willingly or is found and taken in without purchase.
✔ Imitating the West:
- Imitating Western customs without Sharʿī justification is impermissible,
- But keeping a cat out of genuine affection is not included in this prohibition.
