Animals & Pets

Q: Is it ok to keep a snake/python as a pet in the house according to Shari'ah?

Q: Is it permissible to use mosquito catchers that work thus:

"The electronic mosquito catcher is fitted with a radiant high bright blue light that emits UV "A" light spectrum rays. The mosquito would see the blue light and be drawn to it as it is mistaken for "natural moon light". The flying insects are drawn to the top part of the mosquito catcher. Once they come into close proximity of the light, they are sucked into the unit by a suction fan. The fan sucks the mosquitoes, flies and other small flying bugs and insects into the bottom of the unit. The fan’s suction prevents the mosquitoes and other flying insects, caught in the mosquito catcher, from escaping. The insects therefore simply dry out and perish. Our product works best when the unit is placed at a higher position that what your bed would be. Thus, when sleeping, the mosquito would be attracted by your body temperature, carbon monoxide and body odours, but as it comes to the height of your bed and in close proximity of the mosquito catcher, the mosquito would be sucked into the unit. The unit cleans very easily. Once you feel the unit is full enough to your liking, simply remove the bottom cover from the unit and empty the mosquito catcher’s content in a waste basket. The mosquito catcher is highly versatile due to the fact that it can work off of 220V, 110V or directly off of a 12V battery. Tip: When using a battery, it is best to use a car battery as it will last longer than 10 days continuously.

Q: Our neighbours have given food to stray dogs and hence the stray dogs are near my home for one year. It scares us because we have children in the house. It has 6 puppies and no mater what I do they don't leave my home alone. Neighbours have done this to upset us. Because of the fear of Allah we have not killed them but yesterday it bit my maasi (working lady). My question is when the government don't act, am I allowed to kill them by poison? They sometimes bark and are always on my door. I fear for my kids.

Q: Are we as muslims permitted to put an animal under if we think they are in a lot of pain or suffering?

Q: I have two rabbits, is it permissible to spay/neuter them?

Q: We advised a visitor not to open the windows as our young cat may escape. She has visited us many times before and knows this very well. Nevertheless, this visitor opened the window, without our knowledge, and the cat went outside. After desperate searching, we found the cat dead and in a pitiful condition. She had been mauled and severely injured by a dog. The cat must have experienced great pain and suffering whilst being attacked by this dog. It was a sad scene. Whilst this entire outcome is on account of the visitors' negligence, could Allah Ta'ala take me to task? I know that Allah Ta'ala considers cruelty and negligence towards animals very severely, perhaps even more in my instance of an innocent cat. Should I make Taubah to Allah Ta'ala for a terrible crime I may have committed? Perhaps I was lax in not searching for the cat quickly enough or not applying my mind as to where she might be? Or that I had failed to emphasize enough on the visitor regarding the windows? I would not want Allah Ta'ala to change my cat into a fearsome beast that will similarly maul me in Jahannum. Allahumma Ajirni Minan Naar. Please guide me in this matter.

Q: We have a dog that is very old and experiences much pain in walking and moving about. My father suggests having the dog put down by a vet. This would entail an intravenous injection. Described as “...a very high dose of pentobarbital or sodium thiopental. Unconsciousness, respiratory then cardiac arrest follow rapidly, usually within 30 seconds." Is it permissible to put a dog down in this manner via lethal injection?

Q: I am aware of the fact that dogs cannot be kept as pets inside the apartment (or house) because their saliva is najis (impure). I am also aware of the fact that Islam is the most accommodating religion.

I am an OCD patient and I wanted to inquire the ruling on therapy dogs for anxiety/depression inside the apartment. I live in Canada and I do not have any family here to support me emotionally. Therefore, the anxiety kept growing until I became an OCD patient.

Q:

1. In surah (Al-Kahf: 18) it is spoken about "the dog of the people of the cave" is this referring to all dogs or what does that mean?
2. Do animals go to janah? and I'm referring to dogs in particular?

Q: Is it a sin to kill insects and flies?