4

My husband and I have two 6-month old kittens: one male and one female which we keep as indoor pets.

I have concerns about the male cat, particularly as my husband and I are about to Insha’Allah have a baby soon:

  1. he can be rather aggressive and scratches;
  2. he will soon be spraying to mark his territory around the house;
  3. it is likely that soon, he will be mature enough to mate and we will have kittens on our hands, which we will be unable to give proper care to.

We have considered having him rehomed, but he and his sister are the best of friends, so it would be such a shame to split them up and we know he will be cared for properly with us.

Our vet advises that we have him neutered in order to calm him down and prevent points 2 and 3 and advises that we should do so soon whilst he is still young. Is this haram?

| improve this question | |
  • His sister will have kittens whether her brother is neutered or not. Unless you lock them both in the house all the time, point 3 will not be avoided. – user5751924 Jan 15 '17 at 23:46
  • Haven't heard anything about this one way or another. As long as something isn't harming the animal long term (like declawing) then it is probably fine. I don't think they were neutering any animals during the time of the prophet SA – hamobi Jan 16 '17 at 22:54
1

There's a difference of opinion.

Shia Islam

Al-Islam indicates a difference of opinion as to whether it's "detestable" or "forbidden":

...jurists like Abu al-Salah al-Halabi, Ibn Barraj, and Shawkani consider such an action as unlawful...

An Islam Today fatwa forbids it, quoting e.g. the Sunni (Shafii) scholar Al-Nawawi: It is categorically forbidden to castrate animals that cannot be used for food.

Sunni Islam

There's online fatawa which indicate neutering a cat is permissible if it will not harm the animal: Islam Q&A (Salafi), Mufti Online (Hanafi), Ask Imam (Hanafi), Seekers Hub (Hanafi), and EShakyh.com (when asked about a female cat).

However, Islam Q&A points out a difference of opinion about castration of animals within Sunni Islam:

The Shaafa’is differentiated between animals that are eaten and those that are not eaten. They said: It is permissible to castrate those whose meat is eaten when they are young, but it is haraam in other cases.

| improve this answer | |
  • The last statement in first place refers to cattle and those animals that can be eaten. AFAIK Muslims don't eat cats. – Jamila Jun 22 '18 at 10:04
-1

It is haraam as long as it harms the animal I believe we have anesthesia for animals thus no harm and after neutering/spaying the animal is much relaxed, healthy and playful. Secondly humans and animals both are relaxed after that.

I dont have enough knowledge for the reference but I do believe that. And giving away animal or letting it free may also depress it so if keeping it makes it happy and you are taking good care of it I do think Allah will forgive for the neuter even if haraam rest is up to Allah.

| improve this answer | |
-2

islam says it is ok to have pets like cat roaming around house and mosque since they are ritual cleanbut if male becomes aggressive m advice is give the male catnip which can be found online

| improve this answer | |
  • This answer could use some evidences that support your claim. – Jamila Jun 22 '18 at 9:54
-4

Don't act according to opinion of different communal,

I would suggest thinking about your cat,

If it harms the cat then it is prohibited to do,

think of you as a cat, and someone neutering you or spaying you, it will be not right to do spaying or neutering cause firstly they cannot speak, and that doesn't mean we can do anything with them,

It will be like forcing a physically challenged entity, ALLAH has created living creature to nurture humans and only ALLAH is that right to do

from my point of view don't do it. I am not mufti, not Aalim (Muslim scholar) but it is about right and wrong rest depends on you.

| improve this answer | |
  • This is a Question and answer site not a typical internet forum, where you may post your opinion. This is not an answer as we expect here (see How to Answer). – Sassir Jan 19 '18 at 18:04

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.