Islam encouraged all Muslims to love and care for animals. Among many animals in the world, the Prophet (peace be upon him) particularly loved cats. He even kept one while he’s alive. One day, the cats slept in the robes that the Prophet would be wearing for prayer. But he chose to wear another robes so that the cat won’t be woken up.
Seeing how the Prophet (peace be upon him) even had a cat on his own, there must be many benefits of having a cat in Islam. Moreover, cat is a clean animal which the Prophet didn’t mind drinking from the same glass with it.
Sadly, there are many people who are allergic to cats. Here are many of the benefits of having a cat in Islam:
1. Getting the Rewards from Allah SWT
Cat is an animal which the Prophet (peace be upon him) cherished, so that Allah SWT cherished it as well. Whoever feeds the cat and taking a good care of it, he is doing a good deed and thus, he will be rewarded by Allah SWT. Also read: Ways to Get Good Deeds in Islam
2. Following the Prophet
While the Prophet (peace be upon him) lived, he kept a cat named Muezza. The Prophet was widely known to be cherishing his cat very dearly. In life, we are told to follow the steps of the Prophet. Having a cat is one of those.
3. Having a Guard on the House
Dogs are prohibited to be kept in the house since it full of najs. Even though dog is a useful animals as a guardian of the house, Muslims are not to have it around. However, cat has can be used to guard the house instead. Also read: Benefits of Cats in Islam
4. Protect Us from Other Animals
Cat is a very useful animal. It can protect us from other animals, including the dangerous ones. Cat can eat snake as well as smaller animals such as bugs, rats, and others that may give the house inconvenience.
5. It’s Not Najs
Muslims should not be worry of cats. One of the benefits of having a cat in Islam is that it’s not najs. Cats are just the same as human, given that the Prophet (peace be upon him) even drank from the same glass as cats. Also read: How to Treat Cats in Islam
“They (cats) are not naajis, rather they are of those who go around amongst you.” – Tirmidhi
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6. Doing Good Deeds for Allah SWT
“Those who are kind and considerate to Allah’s creatures, Allah bestows His kindness and affection on them. Show kindness to the creatures on the earth so that Allah may be kind to you.” (Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi)
7. Adding One Family Member
Having a cat in Islam is like having another family member in the house. Cat should not be treated horribly just because it’s an animal. It should be taken care, loved, and fed as if its our own family. Also read: Ways To Earn Good Deeds In Islam
8. Cat is a Purity
As narrated by Humaidah bint Ubaid bin Rifa’ah (RA) there was a story where a man take wudu’ from water in which cat has drank from it before and he worried about the purity of the water, in which the Prophet said the water was pure.
“Indeed Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said ‘It is not impure, it is only one of those roam around among you.'” (Tirmidhi)
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Right Ways to Treat Cats in Islam
If we have decided to keep a cat in the house, we must take care of it the right way. Cat is an animal which the Prophet (peace be upon him) loved dearly that he was called “Father of Cats”. Here are the right ways to treat cats.
1. Feed It Well
Cat should be fed well and whoever starve cat to death will be punished. As reported by Abdullah (RA) the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“A woman was tormented because of a cat which she had confined until it died and she had to get into Hell. She did not allow it either to eat or drink as it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the insects of the earth”. (Muslim)
2. Not Eating the Cat Meat
Human are allowed to consume animal meats but cat is not among the. It’s a big sin to slaughter cats and eat the meat. Also read: Benefits of Good Deeds in Islam
“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prohibited eating the cat and from its price.” (Tirmidhi)
3. Not to be Traded with Money
Cats are not goods to be treated and exchanged with money. It’s okay to give it for free to others or received as a gift, but not to be sold and bought.
From Abu’l Zubayr:
“I asked Jaabir about the price of dogs and cats. He said, ‘The Prophet (SAW) forbade that.’” (Muslim)
4. Give It Freedom to Roam Around
If we have a cat in the house, let it roam around. Caging the cat all the time is stealing its freedom and it’s not allowed in Islam.
After reading all the benefits of having cats in Islam, Muslims should know that cat is not only allowed but also suggested to be kept in the house. Beside being useful, cat can reduce the stress due to its cute appearance and lovely behavior while playing with alone.