Fatwa ID: 05495

Answered by: Mufti Maruf Ahmed

Question:

I got both my cats neutered because they were spraying around the house I didn’t want the male to impregnate other cats so that any offspring of stray cats wouldn’t be born to live a short existence where they would likely have been killed horribly I didn’t want the female and her kittens to suffer psychologically when we gave them away for adoption many kittens suffer at the hands of the children whose household they go to by hurting and frightening them. Is the neutering halal for the reasons above or was it denying the cats the right to procreate by cutting of their lineage.

In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Answer

With regards to cat neutering, it is not forbidden in Islam per se. If the owner of the cat believes that it is in the best interest of the cat for it to be neutered, it will be permissible. However, it is important to ensure that the cat, or any animal for that matter, is not subjected to unnecessary harm. It is incumbent for every Muslim to show mercy to the creation of Allah, including animals.

The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “A woman entered the hellfire because of a cat which she tied up and did not feed.”[1]

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Mufti Maruf Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 3140