Islam and Cats

Yaawn! Hello everyone!

Today I’m going to be telling you a little bit about the relationship between my fellow felines and Islam.

Islam generally encourages kindness towards all animals and abhors ill treatment of them. However, cats have a special place in Islam.

Islam teaches the importance of treating cats well and that the cat is a creature to be cherished and loved. Mistreating a cat is regarded as a severe wrong in Islam.

There is a famous story told about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who was tender and kind towards cats. The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) favourite cat was called Muezza.

One day, Muezza was asleep on one of the sleeves of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) robes. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wanted to wear the robe. Rather than disturb Muezza, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cut off the sleeve to leave Muezza in peace. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then stroked the cat three times, which, it is said, granted Muezza seven lives and the ability to land on his feet at all times.

In addition, there was Abu Hurayrah, famous as a companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was given his nickname Abu Hruyrah (father of kittens) by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) because he used to care for a small male cat.

Interestingly, the word "cat" may come from the Arabic word qit but a tiny male cat (kitten) is called “hurayrah.”

To show mercy to animals is part of the faith of Islam.

Please see these links for more information!

I’m going to take a nap now! Bye!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_cats

http://www.muslimheritage.com/article/cats-islamic-culture

http://muslimobserver.com/cats-and-islam/