AskImamDarul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam)

I heard it is Sunnah to keep a cat

Fatwa 17044English
Beliefs and Practices (Aqeedah)

Question

over the years i often heard, that keeping a cat as a pet is sunat. is this true? my question is. .
Is keeping a cat as a pet sunat? did Prophet Mohammed *may peace be upon him* had any pets or had a cat as a pet?

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) is a famous Sahabi. His name Hurairah is derived from the Arabic word “Hirrah” which means cat. He was known as the “the kitten man,” literally “the father of a kitten” because he was fond of cats and since his childhood often had a cat to play with.

It is permissible to keep a cat as a pet, but this should not be considered a sunnat.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Ebrahim Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

Answered by
Ml. Ebrahim Desai
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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