Breeding animals is very common in all societies around the world, some people are closer to their pets than humans. With this fact in mind, a lot of rumors are being spread about what Islam says about animals, so in this article, you will understand the whole picture by reading the most 5 asked questions about breeding animals in Islam responded in detail.
Here we will learn the following:
1) Breeding Animals in Islam
Most of us love to breed animals in our houses, especially those cute animals like colored birds, cats or turtles. According to the Islamic rule, everything is permissible until we have a proof from the Quran or Sunnah that forbids it. Thus, all animals are allowed to be bred except those that have a certain harm for human beings or explicitly stated in the Quran or Sunnah. Therefore, we should know the conditions Islam imposed for breeding animals and the most harmful animals that we used to breed.
Islam allows animal breeding as animals entertain and help people in their lives. The Prophet Muhammed (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) encouraged Muslims to breed animals as in Hadith: Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet (PBUH) used to mix with us to the extent that he would say to a younger brother of mine, ‘O Aba `Umair! What did the Nughair (a kind of bird) do?“
[Sahih al-Bukhari].
“كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُخَالِطُنَا،وَكَانَ يَقُولُ لِأَخٍ لِي: «يَا أَبَا عُمَيْرٍ، مَا فَعَلَ النُّغَيْرُ»”
However, breeding animals is allowed under the condition of feeding them and not torturing them. Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat that she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
عُذِّبت امرأة في هِرَّة سَجَنَتْها حتى ماتت، فدخلت فيها النار، لا هي أطعمتها ولا سَقتها، إذ حبستها، ولا هي تَركتْها تأكل مِن خَشَاشِ الأرض»
You can also read our article on: Kindness To Animals In The Quran – They Adore Animals Too!
2) Is breeding dogs haram in Islam ?
Breeding dogs in Islam has certain conditions, it could be halal in some cases and haram in other cases. Muslims cannot breed dogs except if they were used for hunting, guarding houses, cattle, farms, or any other properties. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
He who keeps a dog will lose out of his good deeds equal to one Qirat every day, except one who keeps it for guarding the fields or the herd.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
“«مَن اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا -إلا كلبَ صَيْدٍ، أو مَاشِيَةٍ- فإنه يَنْقُصُ من أَجْرِهِ كل يوم قِيرَاطَانِ“
On the other hand, breeding dogs in other conditions is not allowed as their saliva is unclean and full of germs. Thus, the Prophet ordered Muslims to wash the vessels that were contaminated with dogs’ saliva many times. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
The purification of the utensil belonging to any one of you, after it is licked by a dog, lies in washing it seven times, using sand for the first time“.
“طَهُورُ إِنَاءِ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا وَلَغَ فِيهِ الْكَلْبُ أَنْ يَغْسِلَهُ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أُولَاهُنَّ بِالتُّرَابِ”
3. What does science say about breeding dogs?
Furthermore, one of the researches was conducted on the relationship between earth and rabies. Rabies is a disease whose bacteria lie in the saliva of the dog and are transmittable to man. The dog may have this kind of bacteria even though the symptoms of rabies do not appear on the dog. It may have the disease, just like any animal or living being having or carrying the disease without being infected by it.
Research on this matter was conducted in Spain a long time ago and recently by a Pakistani doctor. It was found that rabies and its germs no matter how much washed with water can not be removed completely unless rubbed at least once with earth. Earth kills germs completely. The same applies to other diseases. This confirms the prophetic tradition.
4. Is breeding pigs allowed in Islam ?
Breeding pigs is not allowed in Islam as pigs are the cradle of harmful germs. It is a scavenger and not meant for human consumption. Moreover, pork (pig’s meat) is forbidden to be eaten. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, says:
Say, I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it is a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it is [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.“
[Quran/6/145].
“قُل لَّآ أَجِدُ فِى مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍۢ يَطْعَمُهُۥٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍۢ فَإِنَّهُۥ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ ۚ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍۢ وَلَا عَادٍۢ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ“
5. Why pig is haram in Islam?
There is scientific evidence to prove that pork is least healthy having different harmful agents like Cholesterol and Fatty Acids, bacteria and Toxins and a number of parasites. Pork is high in fat and cholesterol that causes cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and the incidence of large intestine cancer.
Bacteria and Toxins associated with pigs spread many diseases like Salmonellosis, which leads to acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Many other diseases like, Tuberculosis, Yersiniosis, Listeriosis, Leptospirosis, Brucellosis, Smallpox, Influenza, Anthrax, Balantidial dysentery, Foot rot, Cholera, and Erysipeloid are attributed to pork consumption.
There are many other diseases such as Parasitic Diseases Ascaris, Ancylostomiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Cysticercosis showing signs of mental disorders, Pneumonia, Bleeding of the lungs (haemoptysis), which may lead to death or madness. The patient may become blind and deaf. Nitrates used in pork and pork products as additives are converted into nitrosamines which cause hepatic cell tumors.
Flesh of the pork is hard to digest and may lead to chronic digestive disturbances. Pimples, boils, and cysts are common in pork eaters. The pig excretory system secretes 2 percent of its uric acid that is injurious for human health. Pork consumption seriously affects human health and adversely injurious one’s moral values. A person gets pig-like characteristics by eating pork like indecency, obscenity and drop in honoring women.
Ultimately, we can answer the question and try to breed the most useful animal that entertains, accompanies and helps us in our daily life. On the other hand, we should avoid breeding harmful animals like pigs and dogs in our houses in order to protect ourselves and people we care about.
6. Can A Muslim breed a cat in his home ?
Having a cat at home is allowed in Islam for Muslims, it is not just allowed but Islam also has put obligations on whoever breed a cat to feed her and protect her and if he doesn’t do this he will be asked about this animal on the day of judgment.
Look what prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said when a cat tried to drink from the water he used for Wudu
Kabshah bint Ka’b ibn Malik, who said that Abu Qatadah – her husband’s father – entered upon her and she poured water for him to do wudu, and a cat came to drink from it, so he tipped the vessel for it to drink. Kabshah said: “He saw me looking at him and said, “Do you find it strange, O daughter of my brother?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “They (cats) are not najis, rather they are of those who go around amongst you.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 92; al-Nasai, 68; Abu Dawood, 75; Ibn Majah, 367. classed as sahih by al-Albani. Ibn Hajar narrated in al-Talkhis that al-Bukhari classed it as sahih).
(إنها ليست بنجس، إنما هي من الطوافين، أو الطوافات)
7. Is selling cats and dogs allowed in Islam ?
Selling dogs is forbidden in Islam if it is for the sake of luxury. The majority of Scholars forbade it even if it was used for guarding or gaming. But a group of scholars such as Abu Hanifa allowed selling trained dogs for the purpose of protection or game, you take the cost of training not the real price of the dog itself.
It was narrated in a lot of hadith that the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said that selling dos is forbidden. The general meaning of these Hadiths include all kinds of dogs, those which it is permissible to keep and those which it is not permissible to keep.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The price of a dog, the fee of a fortuneteller, and the wages of a prostitute are not permissible.”
Abu Dawood (3023)
( لا يَحِلُّ ثَمَنُ الْكَلْبِ ، وَلا حُلْوَانُ الْكَاهِنِ ، وَلا مَهْرُ الْبَغِيِّ )
By this hadith and many others, a lot of Imams and scholars has stated it clear that it is forbidden to sell dogs even if they will be used for guarding.
References
[1] Question and Answer on Islamic Doctrine
[2] Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LV, Written by MUHAMMAD FIAZ QAMAR, IFRAH RAZA
[3] Www.fatwa.islamweb.net
[4] www.islamqa.info
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