In Islam, keeping certain animals is recommended, while others are prohibited. To learn more about the conditions and rulings for keeping a cat, stay with Saednews.
Keeping a cat is permissible as long as it does not interfere with a person’s prayers or religious practices. However, it is important to note that a cat is a forbidden (haram) animal in terms of meat, and its urine and feces are impure. In the following, we will explore the conditions and rulings regarding keeping a cat in the house.
Views of Religious Authorities on Keeping Cats in the House:
Ayatollah Khamenei’s opinion: The clothing of the person praying must not be from a haram meat animal (such as a dog or cat). If any hair from such an animal sticks to the clothing or body of the person praying, the prayer will be invalid.
If saliva, nasal discharge, or any moisture from a haram meat animal, such as a cat, is on the body or clothing of the person praying, the prayer is invalid unless it has dried and the residue has been removed. Similarly, if bird droppings from a haram meat animal are on the body or clothing, the prayer will be invalid, but if they dry and are removed, the prayer is valid.
In the case of doubt regarding whether the clothing is from a halal or haram meat animal, it is permissible to pray in it.
Regarding the permissibility of keeping a cat, not only has there been no dispute, but the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) have encouraged it in their narrations.
Question: It is commonly said that "the greyhound" (a hunting dog) differs from other dogs in terms of impurity and purity. This may be because, according to historical accounts, the Arabs (after Islam) did not prevent the greyhound from entering their tents and considered it a gift from God. Is there a difference between the greyhound and other dogs regarding impurity?
Response from Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: There is no difference in this regard, and Muslims typically used dogs for three purposes: guarding homes, guarding orchards, and guarding flocks. There is a discussion in Islamic jurisprudence about these three types of dogs, referred to as "guard dogs" and "flock dogs."
Question: Regarding the conditions of a praying person’s clothing, does the feather of a haram meat bird have the same ruling as hair?
Response from Ayatollah Sistani: There is no obstacle.
Question: Is cat hair impure and invalidates prayer?
Response from Ayatollah Sistani: Cat hair is not impure, and if one or two hairs stick to the body or clothing, it does not invalidate the prayer.
Question: What are the conditions for keeping a dog at home or in the yard for guarding purposes?
Response from Ayatollah Sistani: There is no obstacle, although the dog is impure, and it is considered makruh (disliked) to pray in a house where a dog is kept.
Religious Ruling on Buying and Selling Cats: According to narrations about buying and selling animals, particularly cats, there is no issue with earning income through their sale. Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) that he said, "Earning income from selling cats is permissible."
Conclusion: Keeping a cat is permissible as long as it does not interfere with a person’s religious practices and prayers. However, one should remember that a cat is a haram meat animal, and its urine and feces are impure. Research also shows that those who interact with animals like cats may develop allergies due to the allergens in their bodies, leading to respiratory and skin issues.
Finally, it is advisable to prioritize time and energy on more important matters, as building emotional relationships with family members and peers holds greater benefits than forming emotional bonds with animals.
