45/37. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2242f — Do Not Tie an Animal and Neglect It
The Prohibition Of Tormenting Cats And Other Animals That Are Not Harmful
Hadith About Tying a Cat and Neglecting It
Sahih Muslim : 2242f
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2242f
وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عُذِّبَتِ امْرَأَةٌ فِي هِرَّةٍ أَوْثَقَتْهَا فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْهَا وَلَمْ تَسْقِهَا وَلَمْ تَدَعْهَا تَأْكُلُ مِنْ خَشَاشِ الأَرْضِ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
This hadith has been reported on the authority of Ibn 'Umar through another chain of transmitters. And Ibn 'Umar reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: A woman was tormented because of a cat which she had tied and thus allowed it neither to eat or drink nor set it free so that it might eat the vermin of the earth.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2242fIn-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 174USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 32, Hadith 6346
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2242f
This hadith about animal cruelty gives another clear wording of the warning. Ibn Umar reports that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said a woman was tormented because of a cat she had tied. She did not feed it, did not give it water, and did not leave it free to eat from the creatures of the earth. The message is very direct. Tying or confining an animal is not a light matter if the animal is then left hungry and thirsty. The hadith teaches responsibility with control. If a person restrains a living creature, that person must not block its basic needs. Mercy in Islam reaches even animals that cannot speak for themselves.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not tie or confine an animal while neglecting its needs.
- Food and water are basic responsibilities for a confined animal.
- The hadith warns against blocking an animal from finding food.
- Mercy should include creatures that depend on human care.
