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Can I keep a cat inside my house?

By Creator · · 1 min read

Yes. Cats are considered clean in Islam, so they can live indoors with you, sleep on your bed and even drink from your water. The only real rule is to treat them well: feed them, give them water and never neglect them.

Cats are clean

A companion named Abu Qatadah was about to make wudu when a cat came to drink. He tilted the water container so it could drink, then used the rest for his wudu. He explained that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said cats are not impure, because "they are among those who go around among you" (Sunan Abu Dawud 75, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 92).

So cat hair on your clothes, a cat walking across your prayer mat, or a cat sipping from your glass doesn't make anything impure. That's a big difference from dogs. See Can I keep my dog after becoming Muslim?

A famous cat lover

Abu Hurairah, who narrated more hadith than almost anyone, got his nickname because of a cat. He used to look after his people's sheep and carried a little cat with him, so people called him Abu Hurairah, "father of the kitten" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3840).

Kindness is not optional

Islam takes animal care seriously. The Prophet ﷺ said: "A lady was punished because of a cat which she had imprisoned till it died... for she neither gave it food nor water" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3482).

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَـٰٓئِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم "There is no creature on earth, nor bird that flies with its wings, but they are communities like you." Quran 6:38

Practical tips

  • Litter box: cat urine and feces are impure, so wash your hands or clothes if they get on you.
  • During prayer: a cat walking past or brushing against you doesn't break your prayer. Many Muslims have photos of cats curled up next to them in sujood.
  • Vet care: vaccines, treatment and a good diet are part of caring for the animal well.

Thinking about getting a cat? Adopting one from a local shelter is a lovely option. Giving a homeless animal food, water and a safe home is exactly the kind of mercy the hadith above describes.

Key points
  • Cats are clean and can live inside.
  • Their fur and saliva don't affect your wudu or prayer.
  • Neglecting a cat is a serious sin.
  • Clean up litter properly before prayer.
Tip: If your cat loves your prayer mat, give it its own small rug nearby. You'll both be happier.

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