I never thought I would be writing this. Growing up, I was never allowed to have pets in the house. It was my childhood dream, and eventually, I found a way to make it work. Both my sister and mother are religious and they strive to follow the Islamic path.
In Islam, pets are generally not permitted in the house, with one notable exception, cats. I didn’t know this at first, but when I decided I actually wanted to adopt a pet, I had to find a way to convince my mom and sister. So, I did my research and found promising reasons that supported my case for having an animal.
Cats hold a special status in the Islamic culture.
Unlike many other animals, cats are considered clean in Islam, and cleanliness is a core principle in the religion. For example, before entering a mosque, Muslims are required to cover themselves, wear a headscarf (for women) and leave their shoes outside to avoid bringing dirt inside. However, cats are allowed to enter mosques freely because they are ritually pure and they are believed to carry blessings (barakah).
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “It is not impure; rather, it belongs to those who walk around you.”
One famous story from the life of the Prophet Muhammad illustrates the love and respect for cats in Islam. It is believed that the Prophet had a beloved cat named Muezza. On one occasion, when Muezza was peacefully sleeping on the sleeve of the Prophet’s robe, He chose to cut off his sleeve rather than disturb her.
The Prophet Muhammad also said: “A woman was punished in Hell because she imprisoned a cat until it died of hunger. She did not give it food or water, nor did she allow it to hunt for itself.” This hadith is a powerful reminder of the responsibility of Muslims have to take care of their pets.
I’m glad to have learned the teachings of the Prophet and discovered that cats are more important than I initially thought. As I continue to live with my two beloved cats, I am constantly reminded of the blessings that come with this special bond I share with them.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, 19 november). Islam and cats – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_cats
Katten als huisdier nemen – Al-Yaqeen. (2013, 13 maart).
https://www.al-yaqeen.com/va/overige/katten-als-huisdier-nemen/
Bukhari, M. (Trans. M. Muhsin Khan). (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vol. 1).
https://sunnah.com/bukhari
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