Is it Haram to kiss a cat

Ruling on keeping cats

Praise be to Allah.

It is permissible in Islam for a person to keep permissible things that no one else has taken possession of before him, such as taking firewood from the desert or wood from the forest. The same applies to taking cats and raising them. One takes possession of a permissible thing by be acquiring it and having it under one's care, provided that it does not belong to anyone.

Based on the above, we may say that there is nothing wrong with keeping cats which do not belong to anyone, on condition that one feeds them and does not torment them. But if it is proven that they cause some harm, such as if they are ill or one fears that they may transmit disease, then you should not keep them, because there should be no harming nor reciprocating harm. So whoever will be harmed by a cats presence should not keep one. Similarly, one who is not able to feed a cat should let it eat from the vermin of the earth and not keep it locked up, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (3223) and Muslim (1507) from Abd-Allaah ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both), according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: A woman was punished because of a cat which she kept locked up until it died, and she entered Hell because of it, because she did not feed it or give it water when she kept it locked up, neither did she let it eat from the vermin of the earth. For more information see question no. 3004.

With regard to cats eating food or drinking water, that does not make the food or water naajis (impure), because of the report narrated in Sunan Abi Dawood and elsewhere, which says that a woman brought some hareesah (a kind of food) to Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) and found her praying. (Aaishah) gestured to her that she should put it down. Then a cat came and ate some of it. When Aaishah had finished praying, she ate from where the cat had eaten and said, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: They (cats) are not naajis (impure), rather they are among those who go around among you (al-tawwaafeena alaykum). I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) doing wudoo with water from which a cat had drunk.

According to another report narrated by Abu Dawood (68) from Kabshah bint Kab ibn Maalik, who was married to Ibn Abi Qutaadah, Abu Qutaadah entered and she poured some water for him to do wudoo. A cat came and drank from the water, and he tipped the vessel for it so that it could drink. Kabshah said: He saw me looking at him and he said, Do you find it strange, O daughter of my brother? I said, Yes. He said, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, They (cats) are not naajis (impure), rather they are among those who go around among you (al-tawwaafeena alaykum). These two reports were classed as saheeh by al-Bukhaari, al-Daaraqutni and others, as was stated in al-Talkhees by Ibn Hajar, 1/15.

Those who go around among you (al-tawwaafeena alaykum) means that they are like servants who are with people in their houses, i.e., cats are always with people, in their houses and among their vessels and furnishings, etc., and this is something that cannot be helped.

So if a cat drinks from a vessel or eats some of the food, it does not become naajis (impure). The owner has the choice. If he is not put off or if he needs it, he may eat (the food) or drink (the water), because it is taahir (pure), unless it is obvious that it will cause harm. If he is put off by the idea of eating or drinking, then he may leave it.

But we should point out here that what some people do, paying a great deal of attention to their cats and beautifying them, spending large amounts of money on them, is indicative of a lack of common sense and religious commitment, and exaggeration with regard to leisure, when there are millions of needy Muslims all over the world, let alone the fact that we Muslims should pay attention to making the best use of our time and filling it with worthwhile and beneficial pursuits, far removed from this folly which has come to us from the kaafir west where some people spend more on their cats and dogs than they spend on their own sons and daughters, let alone the poor and needy. They may even bring their pets to stay in fancy hotels and bequeath large amounts of money to them. Praise be to Allaah Who has honoured us with Islam and distinguished us from all the other nations.

We should also point out that selling cats is not allowed, as was narrated in Saheeh Muslim (2933) from Abul-Zubayr who said: I asked Jaabir about the price of a dog or a cat. He said, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade that. For more information see question no. 7004 and 10207.

And Allaah knows best.

Cat Ownership: Permissible or Prohibited in Islam?

Q:

1. Is it allowed to keep cats as pets inside the house?

2. Do we get reward?

3. In one of your fatwas you told Dont keep cats? Is there is any reason behind it?

4. Which pets are allowed?

A:

1. Yes.

2. This is not an act of reward.

3. For those who cannot take good care of them or those who have allergies and cats may dirty the rooms or there could be a nuisance and danger to small little children then they should not keep cats.

4. You may name the animals and we will explain.

And Allah Taala ( ) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Cats in Islam: The Sunnah & Blessings of These Furry Felines

In Islam, some refer to cats as the quintessential pet. We might like to keep them for their companionship, their gentleness or just for how adorable they are. But did you know Islam is also crazy about cats? Islam teaches us to love all living things humans and animals alike, but cats especially. In Islamic history, cats have always been revered.

Why are cats so common amongst Muslims?

Prophet Muhammad PBUH taught Muslims to have mercy on all of Allahs creations he not only preached this but modelled the way. He was observed as always being kind towards cats, leading many Muslims during his time to embrace and accept these animals into their homes.

The Prophet and His Favourite Cat

Like many of us, the Prophet had a favourite feline. She was called Muezza, and theres one well-known story of both of them. One time, when the call to prayers was heard, Muezza was asleep on one of the Prophets robes. Rather than disrupt Muezzas slumber, the Prophet cut off part of his sleeve to leave him in peace. Throughout his life, the Prophet was seen to always practise immense care for Muezza.

Are cats clean?

The cat is such a clean and pure animal that they are one of those that go around amongst us (Prophet Muhammad PBUH). According to authentic narrations, one may make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat drank from. However, this is provided there are no visible impurities seen in the cats mouth.

What are some things Islam teaches cat owners?

While Muslims are completely free to live with cats, they must treat the cats well. Cats should be provided with enough food, water and given roaming time. They are required to be granted freedom of movement. Due to how cherished and loved cats are in Islam, the mistreatment of this animal is considered a serious sin. Al-Bukhari reported a hadith of a woman who locked up her cat, refusing to feed it. The Prophet said that her punishment on the Day of Judgement will be torture and Hell.

VERILY, THERE IS HEAVENLY REWARD FOREVERY ACT OF KINDNESS DONE TO A LIVING ANIMAL. PROPHET MUHAMMAD

Ultimately, cats bring lots of blessings and sunnah into the home. Many modern Muslims recognise this and take cues from the Prophet. However, its no secret that mistreatment of pets is common nowadays, but lets all remember the actions of the Prophet and emulate them.

Is It Okay to Kiss Your Cat on the Lips? Vet-Reviewed Facts

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Its natural for someone to consider kissing their pets. After all, its one of the most common ways we show affection. However, we dont recommend sharing your love this way, even if your kitty tolerates it. Their mouths arent as hygienic as some claim. The greatest risk of kissing your cat on the lips comes from zoonotic diseases you can get from them. Lets learn a bit more about this down below.

Reasons Why You Should Not Kiss Your Cat on the Lips

1. Self-Grooming and Cats

Lets begin with the elephant in the room. Cats groom themselves and each othera lot. It comes partly from being a predator. Cats are fastidious about cleanliness. Why? Their scent can alert prey and reduce their chances of hunting success.

Wild cats also groom themselves to get rid of any food theyve eaten that is still on their bodies. Its worth noting that all wildlife will probably carry some internal and external parasites from continual exposure. That also applies to what felines are consuming. If you have an indoor-outdoor pet, they are at a greater risk of exposure than strictly indoor animal companions. So, what are the potential dangers?

2. Parasite Transmission

The primary risk to you from kissing your cat on the lips comes from the parasites you could get from them. Scientists estimate that nearly half of cats have some gastrointestinal parasites, with roundworms being the most common. Humans can become infected with these conditions through contact. Thats one reason why its imperative that your cat gets regular vet exams to check for parasites, especially, but not only, if they have outdoor access.

However, thats not the only issue. A cat that hunts birds or rodents can get toxoplasmosis, and they may shed it for up to 2 weeks. Pregnant women are at the greatest risk if they come in contact with the parasite when cleaning the litter box. The infection often goes unnoticed in healthy adults. Nevertheless, a woman that gets toxoplasmosis for the first time while being pregnant can pass it on to her baby, and if not treated, it increases the chances of miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital disabilities.

Another parasite a cat may encounter outdoors is giardia from drinking contaminated water. It can cause gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, and lethargy in pets. It can cause similar symptoms in people. The condition is also spread from person-to-person contact. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable.

3. Other Infections

Another concern exists with a bacteria called Capnocytophaga, which lives in the mouths of cats and doesnt make them sick. It is not a common infection, but you should be aware of it, especially if there are any family members with weakened immune systems. Cats fed raw meat-based diets are also at risk of carrying certain bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Brucella.

Another risk is a bacterial infection called Pasteurella. One study found that 75% of infected cat bite wounds contained this bacteria.

We must also state the obvious. Cats groom themselves and create an avenue of exposure by cleaning their hind ends. Many parasites are passed through the animals feces. Thats why its imperative to wash your hands after cleaning the litter box. Any contact is a chance of becoming infected.

Allergy Symptoms

This outcome is probably off your radar but worth mentioning if you have a pet allergy. Some proteins that cats produce, called allergens, can trigger allergy symptoms in susceptible people. These allergens exist in your kittys saliva and sebaceous glands of the skin. Kissing your cat on the lips puts you directly in harms way. Sadly, theres no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. If you experience reactions, you shouldnt allow your cat to lick you. You shouldnt kiss them, either.

Preventing Health Issues

Were sorry our news isnt what you may want to hear. Nonetheless, understanding the hazards is imperative because they are real. Remember that knowledge is power. Knowing the possibilities empowers you to be alert for the signs of parasites or illness.

Washing your hands is your best defense against infectious diseases. You should also ensure everyone in the family, especially children, elderly, and immune-compromised individuals, follow this same precaution because of their greater vulnerability. You can show your kitty how much they mean to you in less risky ways. Praise and attention will make your love clear to your pet, as well as some yummy treats, of course.

Final Thoughts

We love our pets dearly, so its natural to want to hug and kiss them because of the joy they bring into our lives. However, its best not to show your affection in this way. A danger of exposure to gastrointestinal parasites and transmission of bacteria exists. The kicker is that your kitty may harbor one of the conditions without showing any signs. Therefore, we recommend playing it safe and cuddling with your cat on the couch instead.

Featured Image Credit: Julija Sulkovska, Shutterstock