Ruling on buying and selling cats

22-6-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamualaikum, I understand that purchasing cats is deemed makrooh or even haram but I live in the west where cats are only bought and sold. Also if I want to obtain a young kitten that is quiet by nature and suitable for indoor living only I can only buy it. I have tried to find muslims or even non-muslims who are gifting these animals but I have failed and my only option has been to buy. I have been trying for years to look up various advertisements in newspapers and on the internet but they are all for money for these types of kittens.I have tried all avenues and even asked if I can only pay for the food/vaccinations etc but to no avail. I have been trying to find other option for years. We do not have feral cats either that I can adopt.Would purchasing a kitten be ok in these circumstances to obtain a suitable cat? I would be very grateful if you could let me know may Allah reward you abundantly.

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Answer:

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.

What you have mentioned about the prohibition of selling cats is the view of some scholars, but the majority of the scholars, including the scholars of the Four Schools of Fiqh, are of the view that it is permissible to sell cats.

Therefore, you may act in accord with the view of the majority of the scholars without blame.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 123911.

Allaah Knows best.