A narration about killing moths and beetles Fatwa No: 128252
- Fatwa Date:22-10-2009
As Salaamu Alaykum, I would like to know about insects dwelling in our homes, are we allowed to kill or burn them. Also, my uncle told that house moth or beetle once bited our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) and he woke up for Fajr Prayer due to that moth or beetle and also supplicated for 80 births wherever they(i.e. moth or beetle) die. Is there any Hadith concerning this matter? please provide source if available. Jazaak ALLAHu Khair.
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
We have already mentioned in Fataawa 115711, 112784 and 87944 that it is permissible to kill harmful insects, so please refer to them. We also clarified in them the guidance of the Prophet as to the method of killing them.
As regards the story of the beetle which you mentioned in the question, we have not come across it in the books that we have at hand, and it appears that it is fabricated.
Allaah Knows best.