Understanding The Religious & Scientific Reasons Behind Keeping Cats
Islam recognises the importance of animals and encourages kindness towards them. Among the animals allowed in Muslim households, cats hold a special place due to their cleanliness, companionship, and practical benefits. But why does Islam specifically permit cats as pets? Let’s explore both the religious and scientific perspectives behind this.
1. Cats in Authentic Islamic Teachings
Islamic teachings emphasise kindness towards all animals. Several hadiths narrate how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) treated cats with care and compassion. One well-documented hadith states that a woman was punished in Hellfire for starving a cat and preventing it from finding food (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3318; Sahih Muslim, 2242). This highlights the Islamic obligation to care for animals and not cause them harm.
Another hadith from Sunan Abu Dawood (76) reports that cats are “not impure; they are among those who go around amongst you.” This indicates that cats can live within Muslim households without being considered ritually impure.
2. Cleanliness and Purity in Islam
Islam places a strong emphasis on cleanliness, and cats are naturally clean animals. Unlike dogs, whose saliva is considered impure, cats are allowed to roam freely in homes. The hadith mentioned earlier from Sunan Abu Dawood suggests that cats’ presence does not compromise purity, making them suitable for Muslim households.
3. Cats as Natural Pest Controllers
Historically, cats have played an essential role in controlling pests such as rats and mice, which carry diseases. Islam encourages maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, and cats contribute to this by keeping homes free of rodents. This may explain why they were commonly found in homes, mosques, and marketplaces in early Islamic civilisation.
4. Scientific Perspective: Cats and Hygiene
Modern science supports the idea that cats are naturally hygienic animals. They spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves, using their specially designed tongues to remove dirt and parasites. Unlike many animals, cats instinctively bury their waste, reducing the risk of contamination in living spaces.
5. Emotional and Mental Health Benefits
Scientific studies have shown that owning a cat can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mental well-being. Cats provide companionship and comfort, which aligns with Islam’s emphasis on mercy and kindness towards all of Allah’s creatures.
6. Cats in Historical Islamic Society
Throughout Islamic history, cats were welcomed in homes, religious institutions, and even libraries. The famous Ottoman “cat libraries,” where cats were allowed to rest among bookshelves, show how deeply ingrained feline companionship was in Muslim societies.
7. Hadith on Responsibility and Kindness to Cats
Islam teaches that keeping a pet is a responsibility, not just a privilege. The hadith about the woman who was punished for mistreating a cat demonstrates that failing to care for animals properly is a serious matter in Islam. Another hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (2365) mentions that giving water to a thirsty dog earned a man forgiveness from Allah, highlighting that kindness to animals is rewarded.
8. Independent Nature of Cats
Unlike some other pets, cats are independent animals that do not require constant supervision. They can groom themselves, find food if needed, and entertain themselves, making them well-suited for Muslim households where daily prayers and other religious duties are a priority.
9. Scientific Research on Cats’ Relationship with Humans
Research shows that cats form strong emotional bonds with their owners and can sense human emotions. Their calming effect can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety or loneliness. Islam encourages companionship and emotional well-being, and having a pet cat can align with this principle.
10. A Balance of Compassion and Responsibility
While Islam allows cats as pets, it also emphasises the responsibility of caring for them. Providing food, water, and a safe environment is necessary, and neglecting them is considered sinful. This balance between compassion and responsibility ensures that keeping cats remains an ethical and rewarding practice.
Islam’s allowance of cats as pets is supported by both religious teachings and scientific evidence. Their cleanliness, natural pest control abilities, and positive impact on mental well-being make them ideal companions. By treating them with kindness and responsibility, Muslims fulfil both a religious duty and a moral obligation.