Many Muslims ask, are cats Sunnah in Islam? The answer lies in Islamic teachings, especially in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Love for Cats in Islam
Cats are highly respected animals in Islam. They are known for their cleanliness and gentle behavior. Therefore, Islam allows keeping cats as pets.
In fact, cats are considered pure (tahir). You can even pray in places where a cat has walked or slept.
Did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Like Cats?
Yes, the Prophet ﷺ showed kindness to cats. He treated them gently and never harmed them. That alone makes many ask, are cats Sunnah in Islam?
There is a well-known story of the Prophet’s companion Abu Hurairah. His nickname means “Father of the Kitten” because he loved cats deeply. The Prophet ﷺ never discouraged him from keeping cats.
This shows how cats were beloved among the early Muslims.
Abu Hurairah: The Companion Who Loved Cats
The companion Abu Hurairah, known as “Father of the Kitten,” loved cats deeply. The Prophet ﷺ gave him this nickname because he always carried a kitten with him. This shows how even close companions of the Prophet ﷺ shared his love for animals, especially cats.
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Rafi’: “I said to Abu Hurairah: ‘Why were you given the Kunyah Abu Hurairah?’ He said: ‘Do you not fear me?'” He said: “Indeed, I am in awe of you.’ He said: ‘I used to tend the sheep of my people, and I had a small kitten; so I used to place it in a tree at night, and during the day I would take it with me and play with it. So they named me Abu Hurairah.'”
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْمُرَابِطِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ لِمَ كُنِّيتَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ أَمَا تَفْرَقُ مِنِّي قُلْتُ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَهَابُكَ . قَالَ كُنْتُ أَرْعَى غَنَمَ أَهْلِي فَكَانَتْ لِي هُرَيْرَةٌ صَغِيرَةٌ فَكُنْتُ أَضَعُهَا بِاللَّيْلِ فِي شَجَرَةٍ فَإِذَا كَانَ النَّهَارُ ذَهَبْتُ بِهَا مَعِي فَلَعِبْتُ بِهَا فَكَنَّوْنِي أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ . هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Book 49, Hadith 240
Hadith About Cats
There is a famous narration where a cat drank from the Prophet’s water. He did not object or discard the water.
Narrated AbuQatadah: Kabshah, daughter of Ka’b ibn Malik and wife of Ibn AbuQatadah, reported: AbuQatadah visited (me) and I poured out water for him for ablution. A cat came and drank some of it and he tilted the vessel for it until it drank some of it. Kabshah said: He saw me looking at him; he asked me: Are you surprised, my niece? I said: Yes. He then reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: It is not unclean; it is one of those (males or females) who go round among you.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ حُمَيْدَةَ بِنْتِ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ، عَنْ كَبْشَةَ بِنْتِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، – وَكَانَتْ تَحْتَ ابْنِ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ – أَنَّ أَبَا قَتَادَةَ، دَخَلَ فَسَكَبَتْ لَهُ وَضُوءًا فَجَاءَتْ هِرَّةٌ فَشَرِبَتْ مِنْهُ فَأَصْغَى لَهَا الإِنَاءَ حَتَّى شَرِبَتْ قَالَتْ كَبْشَةُ فَرَآنِي أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَتَعْجَبِينَ يَا ابْنَةَ أَخِي فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ . فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِنَجَسٍ إِنَّهَا مِنَ الطَّوَّافِينَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَالطَّوَّافَاتِ ” .
Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 1, Hadith 75
This hadith highlights the purity of cats in Islam and the Prophet’s comfort around them.
Are Cats Sunnah in Islam?
Although there is no direct hadith stating that keeping cats is Sunnah, treating animals with kindness is Sunnah. Since the Prophet ﷺ loved and cared for cats, doing the same aligns with his character.
Therefore, caring for cats reflects the Sunnah through mercy, compassion, and cleanliness.
Ruling on Keeping Cats in Islam
Islam permits keeping cats as long as you treat them well. You must:
- Feed them properly
- Never harm or neglect them
- Keep them in a clean environment
Mistreating any animal is forbidden in Islam and leads to sin.
Conclusion
So, are cats Sunnah in Islam? While not a direct Sunnah act, caring for cats reflects the Sunnah’s values. Cats were beloved by the Prophet ﷺ and his companions. Their purity and peaceful nature make them ideal pets for Muslims.
