Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah`s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

My Beloved Brother Burhan and your team

I read your mails religiously and also forward to our other Muslim brothers & sisters so as to understand and practice the easiest and only religion AL Islam.

May Allah forgive us all and bless us all in this world and hereafter....AMEEN.

My special dua for you that Allah Rabuull-aa'lameen bless you with his best in this world and the here after.......Ameen.

I would be thankful to know that is keeping fish or birds (lovebirds, cocatale, parrot, african birds, others, etc) allowed in Islam. What does the Quraan and Ahadiths of Prophet Muhammed Sallalla-hu-alyehi-wasallam say about this? Also let us know about whether teaching them (coca tale, parrot) to say quranic verses or allahuakbar is right or wrong?

Jazaak Allah Kair.

Alhamdullilah,Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

The keeping of pets

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your kind comments of encouragement for our humble efforts in the propagation of the Truth. If our humble and modest efforts have helped even one brother or sister get closer to Allah and His Deen of Truth, then we would consider ourselves indeed fortunate to have been given this opportunity by the Lord Most Merciful to serve in His Cause. We hope, beg, and pray the Merciful Lord accepts our humble and weak efforts, forgives us our shortcomings, and saves you, us, and all the believers from the torment of the Hell Fire. Ameen.

Your Question: I would be thankful to know that is keeping fish or birds (lovebirds, cocatale, parrot, african birds, others, etc) allowed in Islam. What does the Quraan and Ahadiths of Prophet Muhammed Sallalla-hu-alyehi-wasallam say about this?

Islam does not prohibit the believers from keeping pure animals and birds like lovebirds, cockatoos, parrots, etc. as pets, if one indeed wishes to do so…..but Islam strictly guides that if one chooses to keep animals as pets, they should honor them and provide sufficiently for them. If one is unable to take care of their pets, then it would be best to let them free so that they may search for their own sustenance; but if perchance one were to keep pets and does not provide sufficiently for them, that indeed would be considered a sin in the Sight of the Lord.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.553 Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger."

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6638A Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘A woman was thrown into Hell-Fire because of a cat whom she had tied and did not provide it with food, nor did she set it free to eat insects of the earth until it died inch by inch.’

But if one chooses or wishes to keep lawful and pure animals as pets and subsequently honors and provides sufficiently for them, there is absolutely no harm and restriction against such an indulgence in Islam.

Your Question: Also let us know about whether teaching them (coca tale, parrot) to say quranic verses or allahuakbar is right or wrong?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verse 18:

18 Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things (animate and inanimate) that are in the heavens and on earth: the sun, the moon, the stars, the hills, the trees, the animals, and a great number among mankind? But a great number are (also) such as are fit for Punishment: and such as Allah shall disgrace none can rise to honor: for Allah carries out all that He Wills.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 44:

44 The seven heavens and the earth and all beings therein declare His Glory: there is not a thing (in creation) but it celebrates His Praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His Glory! Verily He is Oft- Forbearing, Most Forgiving!

Everything in creation in the heavens and on earth bows in worship unto their Lord Creator; for indeed each and everything is bound by the Laws of Nature which are ordained by none except the Lord Most Majestic Himself.

Everything in creation, whether animate or non-animate are engrossed in the worship of their Lord Creator, but we are not capable of understanding their form or type of worship.

The Glorious Quran is a guidance for mankind; but if one wishes to teach their ‘speaking’ pets like birds etc. to say a verse or some phrases of glorification for their own amusement and satisfaction, there is no harm……but it would be much more rewarding and meritorious if the believers took the effort to teach the Truth of Islam to his fellow human beings who do not believe….perchance they may save themselves from the torment of the Hell Fire.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan