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:

I have a very sick pet cat who is unlikely to recover and who is in much pain. Is it permissible in Islam to allow a vet to give her an injection so that she falls into a deep sleep and passes away peacefully. I feel it is cruel to keep her alive at the moment she has little quality of life and suffers so much. 

(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:

Kill sick pet

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.

Respected sister, it would be best to get your pet cat treated as best as you can by the vet. But to intentionally take the life of one just because they are in pain or suffering, be it for an animal or a human being, would not be appropriate according to Shariah Law.

But if the animal is wild, and it threatens or one fears it might harm the life or the property of a human being…there is no harm in killing such an animal.

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