Before you kill that lizard in the kitchen, read this — Islam treats all life with respect and only permits killing when there’s a genuine danger or no peaceful alternative.
Killing a lizard is generally not a praiseworthy act, unless there is a necessity. It is recommended that, before taking any action, one seeks peaceful ways to repel the lizard.
Based on the fatwas of the Supreme Leader and other marajiʿ (sources of emulation), killing animals such as lizards is permissible if they cause harm or nuisance to people or create problems. However, if a lizard is harmless and poses no danger to humans, it is better not to kill it and to respect wildlife and living creatures. In answering this question, several other important points should also be considered:
Islam does not state a specific and direct ruling about killing lizards.
As a general rule in Islam, the life of every living creature is respected, and killing it without reason is considered blameworthy.
In cases where an animal harms a person or their property, Islamic law permits repelling or removing the harm. However, this repelling must be proportionate to the harm and must not exceed what is necessary.
Therefore, in general it can be said:
If a lizard does not harm you and does not create a nuisance in your living environment, killing it is not appropriate.
If the lizard harms you or your property and there is no other way to remove it, killing it is permissible. Nevertheless, this should be done with the least amount of suffering and harm possible.
There are some superstitions about lizards that have no scientific or religious basis — for example, beliefs about poisonous tails or that killing a lizard brings good luck. Such ideas are unfounded.
Islam teaches compassion for all living beings, even insects, and warns against causing them unnecessary harm.
Killing a lizard without need is generally wrong; when true necessity exists and no safe alternative is available, it may be permitted, but one must act proportionately and mercifully.
