Fatwa ID: 04157
Answered by: Maulana Imran Mughal
My cat is very sick and according to the doctors, it will be very expensive if it continues like this. I don't mind paying, however, at what point Islamically does it become too much? Is it my obligation to give the best treatment? If he will live in pain, Islamically is it more merciful to put him down or do I not have that right to make the decision to take a life? Is that considered assisted suicide? I don't want to go to Jahannam.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Generally, in Islam, it would be considered impermissible to kill or put down an animal unless there is a genuine need: whereby the vet has given notice that this animal will definitely die, and that giving it an earlier death will be better for it.[1]
Islamically speaking, it will be better to spend that money on other humans rather than on a cat, because although Islam has made it very clear to observe the rights of animals, humans are more deserving, nonetheless.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Imran Mughal
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
