Author: Imrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A woman (from Banī Isrāʾīl) was punished because of a cat which she had kept tied until it died. She neither fed it nor gave it water, nor did she release it to eat from the insects of the earth. Because of this, she entered Hellfire.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3482; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2242; al-Bayhaqī, 5/214; al-Dārimī, 2/330; Musnad Aḥmad, 2/317; Sharḥ al-Sunnah, 4184)
If killing a cat through starvation leads to Hellfire, then surely other domesticated animals owned by a person are even more deserving of proper care and provision.
Feeding and giving water to animals is an act of reward, as in the well-known ḥadīth:
The Prophet ﷺ narrated the story of a man who gave water to a thirsty dog:
“A man saw a dog eating moist earth out of thirst. He filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, and gave the dog water to drink. Allah forgave him for that.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2363; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2244; Muwaṭṭaʾ, 2/929; Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 2550; Ibn Ḥibbān, 545)
Conclusion:
Warning Against Neglecting Animals
Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A woman (from Banī Isrāʾīl) was punished because of a cat which she had kept tied until it died. She neither fed it nor gave it water, nor did she release it to eat from the insects of the earth. Because of this, she entered Hellfire.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3482; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2242; al-Bayhaqī, 5/214; al-Dārimī, 2/330; Musnad Aḥmad, 2/317; Sharḥ al-Sunnah, 4184)
If killing a cat through starvation leads to Hellfire, then surely other domesticated animals owned by a person are even more deserving of proper care and provision.
Reward for Kindness to Animals
Feeding and giving water to animals is an act of reward, as in the well-known ḥadīth:
The Prophet ﷺ narrated the story of a man who gave water to a thirsty dog:
“A man saw a dog eating moist earth out of thirst. He filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, and gave the dog water to drink. Allah forgave him for that.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2363; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2244; Muwaṭṭaʾ, 2/929; Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 2550; Ibn Ḥibbān, 545)
Conclusion:
- Providing food and water for animals in one’s care is a Sharʿī obligation.
- Neglecting them to the point of harm is a major sin that can lead to severe punishment.
- Showing kindness to them brings Allah’s forgiveness and reward.
