When my pet (cat) dies, do I have to bury him? What are the proofs for the answer? Someone said that you can just throw the animal away. I don’t know if this is true. Can you please clarify this for me? Jazakallahu khairan

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

It is advisable to bury the animal rather than to just throw it away, as this is the best way to dispose of any living creature that has died. However how far this is necessary, this humble servant hasn’t come across any specific text in the exegeses of fiqh to clarify this point.

Nonetheless, if there is no other option but to throw it away, then care should be taken that it is not thrown away in any public place where it would be harmful to other people due to the decaying and decomposing of the animal. One should also refrain from throwing it in wells etc., as this would make the water impure.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Abdullah al-Ma’mun

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.